Animal nutrition compositions and related methods

ABSTRACT

Animal nutrition compositions include a carrier and a fermentation product applied to the carrier. Liquid fermentation products are fluidly applied to dry carriers, such as phyllosilicates or other earthen components, while mixing and applying air flow, under appropriate temperature and pH conditions, to bind the fermentation product to the carrier and dry the reaction product to appropriate moisture content. Fermentation products are also mixed with liquid carriers, such as water. Fermentation products include components of a microbial fermentation culture, such as liquid medium, microbial cellular components, and fermentation metabolites produced by microorganisms. Some compositions include a pH buffering agent and/or additional components to further enhance beneficial effects of the composition, such as improved weight gain and feed conversion, reduced gut lesions, harmful gut bacteria count, and decreased mortality. Compositions can be mixed with animal feeds or otherwise administered. Compositions can inhibit fungal growth on animal feeds.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation-in-part of International PCTApplication No. PCT/US2016/059227 filed Oct. 27, 2016, entitled “ANIMALNUTRITION COMPOSITIONS AND RELATED METHODS,” which claims the benefit ofand priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/246,938 filedOct. 27, 2015, entitled “ANIMAL FEED ADDITIVES AND METHODS. The presentapplication is also a continuation-in-part of International PCTApplication No. PCT/US2018/015546 filed Jan. 26, 2018, entitled “ANIMALNUTRITION COMPOSITIONS AND RELATED METHODS,” which claims the benefit ofand priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/451,543 filedJan. 27, 2017, entitled “ANIMAL NUTRITION COMPOSITIONS AND RELATEDMETHODS. The entirety of each of the foregoing is incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to animal nutritional supplementation,and more particularly to various animal nutrition compositions and tomethods of manufacturing and using the same.

2. Related Technology

Recent trends in animal nutrition, health, and well-being have focusedon sustainable, organic, non-genetically modified (non-GM) alternativesfor animal feeds and feed supplements. Such “all-natural” feedingprograms may be beneficial to the long-term health and well-being of theanimals. However, the removal of antibiotics and (synthetic) chemicalsmay lead to disease and increased mortality of the animals in somecases. For instance, feeds that do not include preservative, organicfeeds that include material from plants that were not treated withpesticides, and/or feeds that include products from animals that werenot treated with antibiotics or synthetic chemicals may carry or becontaminated with microbes, including pathogens, or otherdisease-causing agents that can be harmful to the animals and toconsumers of animal by-products.

A variety of naturally-occurring and other feed additives have been usedto improve the health and well-being of the animals. For instance,probiotics (or direct-fed microbials (DFM) as termed by the U.S. Foodand Drug Administration (FDA), have grown in popularity in response toresearch surrounding the balance between beneficial and potentiallypathogenic microorganisms in the digestive system. The researchdetermined that the coexistence of beneficial and potentially pathogenicgut flora (e.g., bacteria) is an important factor in the general healthof an animal. If this balance is upset, the number of beneficialbacteria could decline while the number of potentially pathogenicbacteria could increase, compromising the animal's health and growthpotential. Thus, feeding DFMs containing live, beneficial bacteria canhelp to maintain proper balance, which may help optimize animal healthand growth performance.

Buffering agents have also been used to improve the health andwell-being of the animals. For instance, moderating the highly acidicenvironment of the gut can reduce (premature) acidic degradation ofbeneficial nutrients, compounds, etc. that may be included in feed orsupplements. Accordingly, a larger portion of these beneficialnutrients, compounds, etc. can be available for absorption andnutritional support. Moreover, live, beneficial bacteria administered inthe form of probiotics may not survive or grow in harsh, acidicenvironments, like the animal gut. Thus, buffering agents often seek toincrease gastric pH levels to facilitate probiotic survival and increasefood conversion ratios. However, some buffers or feeds with high buffercapacity have been shown to increase mortality rates and cause otherharmful effects in animal. Low gastric pH in the stomach is known tocontrol the bacterial populations, especially pathogenic bacteria suchas Salmonella and E. coli. Thus, diminishing the acid level (i.e.,raising the pH) in the gut can also be harmful to the animals.

Without being bound to any theory, fungal contamination and growth onanimal feed products is also an issue in the current state of the art.For instance, fungal contamination of feed ingredients and finished feedproducts, including feed additives, reduces the feed value of theproducts and leads to economic loss for individual producers and theindustry as a whole. In addition, fungal contamination creates a risk tothe health and reduces performance in animals that consume contaminatedproducts. Accordingly, humans who consume such animals or productsproduced therefrom may be effected thereby, such as with decreasednutritional value.

Accordingly, there are a number of disadvantages in the field of animalfeed that can be addressed. In one aspect, for instance, what is neededare sustainable, organic, non-GM animal feed products and methods thatenhances certain animal health indicators and/or support animalwell-being. In another aspect, animal feed products and methods withenhanced antifungal or fungal growth-inhibiting activity are needed.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present disclosure solve one or more of the foregoingor other problems in the art with nutritional products and methods ofmanufacturing and/or using the same (e.g., to enhance the health of ananimal). Specifically, embodiments of the present disclosure includeanimal nutrition compositions, such as animal feed additives orsupplements, and methods of manufacturing and/or using the same (e.g.,to enhance the health of an animal). Some embodiments relate to acomposition that includes an animal feed mixed with an animal feedadditive or supplement composition, and to methods of manufacturingand/or using the same (e.g., to enhance the health of an animal). Theanimal feed additive (or feed supplement) composition can include acarrier and a fermentation product bound to the carrier. The compositioncan also include a buffering agent mixed with the fermentationproduct-bound carrier. In some embodiments, the composition can includeone or more additional ingredients. The animal feed (or feed component)can comprise any suitable animal ingestible material, whether solid,liquid or other (e.g., mixture).

An exemplary embodiment includes a composition (e.g., an animalnutrition composition) comprising (i) a carrier, and (ii) a fermentationproduct applied or bound to or mixed with the carrier.

In some embodiments, the composition, carrier, and/or fermentationproduct can be in a substantially dry and/or solid form. The compositioncan have a moisture content between about 0.25% and about 20%. Thecomposition can have an average particle size between about 20-297 μm.In some embodiments, the composition, carrier, and/or fermentationproduct can be in a fluid and/or liquid form. For instance, thecomposition can comprise a solution, colloid, suspension, or other fluidand/or liquid mixture.

The carrier preferably comprising a naturally-occurring earth component.The earth component can comprise one or more phyllosilicates.Preferably, the one or more phyllosilicates are of the 1:1 or 2:1 claymineral variety. Preferably, the one or more phyllosilicates areselected from the group consisting of aliettite, attapulgite, bentonite,chlorite, dickite, halloysite, hectorite, illite, kaolinite,montmorillonite, nacrite, nontronite, palygorskite, saponite, sauconite,sepiolite, serpentine, talc, and vermiculite. The earth component can bein a substantially dry form and/or solid state. The earth componentpreferably has an average particle size between about 20-297 μm. Theearth component preferably has a moisture content between about 0.25%and about 20% by weight.

The carrier can alternatively comprise or be a fluid and/or liquid, orin a fluid and/or liquid form. The carrier can comprise water. Thecarrier can comprise liquid feed. The carrier can comprise a medicament.

The fermentation product preferably comprises one or more anaerobicmetabolite products or metabolites. The metabolites or metaboliteproducts preferably having been produced by said one or moremicroorganisms. The fermentation product preferably comprising cellularmaterial of the one or more microorganisms. The cellular material cancomprise cellular components of lysed microorganisms. The cellularmaterial can comprise cellular structural components of or produced bythe one or more microorganisms. The cellular structural components caninclude cell wall, or fragments thereof, of or produced by the one ormore microorganisms. The cellular structural components can includeorganelle or fragments thereof, of or produced by the one or moremicroorganisms. The cellular material can comprise genetic material ofor produced by the one or more microorganisms. The cellular material cancomprise macromolecules of or produced by the one or moremicroorganisms.

Preferably the one or more microorganisms comprise prokaryotic bacteria.The prokaryotic bacteria can be of Lactobacillus acidophilus. The one ormore microorganisms can include one or more microorganisms other thanLactobacillus acidophilus. The one or more microorganisms can includeLactobacillus acidophilus and one or more additional microbial (e.g.,bacterial) species and/or strains. Alternatively, or in addition, thecellular material can comprise cellular components of one or more yeast,fungus, and/or algae species or strains.

Embodiments can comprise one or more additional components. Embodimentscan comprise a mixture of additional components. The one or moreadditional components can comprise (residual) supplement components. Theone or more additional components can be selected, independently, fromthe group consisting of one or more vitamins, minerals, trace minerals,amino acids, health supplements, pharmaceuticals, plant extracts (e.g.,seaweed extracts), phytonutrients, carotenoids, enzymes, probiotics,lignosulfonates, and organic acids (e.g., humic acids). Each of theforegoing ingredients can be added alone or in combination with one ormore other of the additional components without limitation. The one ormore vitamins can be bound or chelated to at least one of themetabolites, preferably such that the bioavailability of the at leastone of the metabolites is increased thereby. one or more minerals can bebound or chelated to at least one of the metabolites, preferably suchthat the bioavailability of the at least one of the metabolites isincreased thereby.

Some embodiments can be substantially and/or entirely devoid ofprobiotic. Some embodiments can be substantially and/or entirely devoidof living microorganism of one or more variety. Some embodiments can besubstantially and/or entirely devoid of probiotic and livingmicroorganism of one or more variety.

Embodiments can also comprise a buffering agent mixed with thefermentation product-bound carrier. The buffering agent is preferablymixed with the fermentation product-bound carrier at a ratio betweenabout 1:1 and about 1:20, fermentation product-bound carrier tobuffering agent, or vice versa. The buffering agent can comprise one ormore granular or powdered electrolytic substances. The buffering agentcan preferably be selected from the group consisting of sodiumsesquicarbonate, sodium carbonate, and sodium bicarbonate. The bufferingagent can comprise sodium sesquicarbonate. The buffering agent cancomprise (a mixture of) sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate.

In some embodiments, the composition and/or fermentation product cancomprise one or more components of a growth medium in which the one ormore microorganisms were grown. The composition and/or fermentationproduct can comprise one or more components of a growth medium in whichthe one or more anaerobic metabolites were produced (e.g., by the one ormore microorganisms). In some embodiments, the composition and/orfermentation product can comprise one or more aerobic metabolitesproduced by the one or more microorganisms.

At least one embodiment comprises a nutrient enhanced animal feedproduct, comprising an animal feed component and a feed additivecomposition mixed with the feed component. The feed additive compositioncan be the above-described composition. The feed additive compositioncan comprise an (earthen) carrier and a fermentation product derivedfrom one or more microorganisms, the fermentation product being bound tothe carrier. The nutrient enhanced animal feed product, feed additivecomposition, and/or the feed component can have a moisture contentbetween about 0.25% and about 20% by weight. The feed additivecomposition can be mixed with the feed component at a ratio ofapproximately 0.05-50 kg of the feed additive composition per metric ton(or tonne) of the feed component.

Some embodiments include a method of manufacturing an animal feedsupplement. The method can include applying a fermentation product to acarrier to form a combination product. In some embodiments, thefermentation product can bind to the carrier forming a fermentationproduct-bound carrier. The method can also include mixing thecombination product with a buffering agent to form a bufferedcombination product. In some embodiments, the method can include mixingone or more additional ingredients with the fermentation product, thecombination product, and/or the buffered combination product. Someembodiments include a method of manufacturing a supplemented animal feedproduct. The method can include mixing an animal feed supplement with ananimal feed component. Certain embodiments can also include packagingthe combination product, buffered combination product, and/orsupplemented animal feed product, such as in a sealed and/or air-tightcontainer.

An exemplary embodiment can comprise a method of manufacturing acomposition, comprising (i) providing a fermentation product and acarrier, as described above, and (ii) forming a combination product byapplying the fermentation product to the carrier, preferably at a ratioof approximately 1:1 by weight, more preferably such that thefermentation product binds to the carrier. The fermentation productpreferably comprises a liquid suspension medium having cellular materialof one or more (single-celled) microorganisms and/or one or moreanaerobic and/or optional aerobic metabolites of or produced by the oneor more microorganisms disposed therein. In some embodiments, applyingthe fermentation product to the carrier comprises fluidly applying thefermentation product in a substantially liquid (suspension) form to thecarrier in a substantially dry, solid form, preferably at a ratio ofapproximately 1:1 by weight.

Certain embodiments can further comprise one or more steps selected fromthe group consisting of (i) mixing the carrier, preferably at a speedbetween about 10-200 rpm, while applying the fermentation product, (ii)applying a flow of air to the combination product or fermentationproduct-bound carrier, preferably over a period of time between about12-120 hours and/or until the combination product has a moisture contentbetween about 0.25% and about 20% by weight, (iii) mixing thecombination product or fermentation product-bound carrier, preferably ata speed between about 10-200 rpm, while applying the flow of air, (iv)maintaining the combination product or fermentation product-boundcarrier at a temperature below about 60° C., more preferably below about55° C., still more preferably below about 50° C., still more preferablybelow about 45° C., still more preferably below about 40° C., still morepreferably below about 38° C., and (v) maintaining the combinationproduct or fermentation product-bound carrier at a pH between about2-10, preferably between about 2-8, more preferably between about 2-6,still more preferably between about 2-5, still more preferably betweenabout 2-4, still more preferably between about 2-3, still morepreferably between about 3-10, still more preferably between about 3-8,still more preferably between about 3-6, still more preferably betweenabout 3-5, still more preferably between about 3-4, still morepreferably between about 4-10, still more preferably between about 4-8,still more preferably between about 4-6, still more preferably betweenabout 4-5.

In some embodiments, at least a portion of the fermentation productphysically and/or chemically reacts with and/or binds to the carrier,preferably by adsorption to a surface of the carrier and/or absorptionbelow the surface of the carrier. Embodiments can further comprisesmixing the combination product with a buffering agent, as describedabove, preferably at a ratio between about 1:1 and about 1:20,fermentation product-bound carrier to buffering agent, or vice versa, toform a buffered combination product, the buffered combination productpreferably having a moisture content between about 0.25% and about 20%by weight and/or having one or more properties described above. Someembodiments comprise mixing one or more additional ingredients orsupplement components with one or more of the fermentation product,fermentation product-bound carrier, combination product, and/or bufferedcombination product. The one or more additional supplement componentscan be selected, independently, from the group consisting,independently, of vitamin(s), mineral(s) or trace mineral(s), aminoacid(s), health supplement(s), pharmaceutical(s), nutraceutical(s),plant(s) or plant part(s), plant product(s) or extract(s), herb(s),phytonutrient(s), carotenoid(s), enzyme(s), probiotic(s),lignosulfonate(s), and organic acid(s). Certain embodiments can besubstantially and/or entirely devoid of probiotic and/or livingmicroorganism of one or more variety.

Some embodiments include packaging the combination product, fermentationproduct-bound carrier, and/or buffered combination product, preferablyso as to inhibit substantial absorption or loss of moisture by thepackaged combination product.

An exemplary method of manufacturing a composition comprises (i) fluidlyapplying a substantially liquid fermentation product to a substantiallysolid earthen carrier, preferably at a ratio of approximately 1:1 byweight, such that the fermentation product binds to the carrier,preferably by adsorption to a surface of the carrier and/or absorptionbelow the surface of the carrier, the carrier preferably comprising oneor more phyllosilicate materials, preferably of 1:1 or 2:1 clay mineralvariety, the fermentation product preferably comprising a mixture of (i)one or more non-living and/or non-viable microorganisms, (ii) anaerobicand/or aerobic metabolites produced by said one or more microorganisms,and (iii) a liquid suspension medium in which the metabolites wereproduced by said one or more microorganisms, (ii) mixing the carrier,preferably at a speed between about 10-200 rpm, while applying thefermentation product, (iii) applying a flow of air to the fermentationproduct-bound carrier, preferably over a period of time between about12-120 hours and/or until the combination product a moisture contentbetween about 0.25% and about 20%, (iv) mixing the fermentationproduct-bound carrier, preferably at a speed between about 10-200 rpm,while applying the flow of air, (v) maintaining the fermentationproduct-bound carrier at a temperature below about 60° C., morepreferably below about 55° C., still more preferably below about 50° C.,still more preferably below about 45° C., still more preferably belowabout 40° C., still more preferably below about 38° C., (vi) maintainingthe fermentation product-bound carrier at a pH between about 2-10,preferably between about 2-8, more preferably between about 2-6, stillmore preferably between about 2-5, still more preferably between about2-4, still more preferably between about 2-3, still more preferablybetween about 3-10, still more preferably between about 3-8, still morepreferably between about 3-6, still more preferably between about 3-5,still more preferably between about 3-4, still more preferably betweenabout 4-10, still more preferably between about 4-8, still morepreferably between about 4-6, still more preferably between about 4-5,and (vii) mixing the fermentation product-bound carrier with a bufferingagent to form a buffered combination product, the buffered combinationproduct preferably having a moisture content between about 0.25% andabout 20% by weight, the buffering agent comprising one or more granularor powdered electrolytic substances, preferably selected from the groupconsisting of sodium sesquicarbonate, sodium carbonate, and sodiumbicarbonate. The method can further comprise packaging the composition,preferably so as to inhibit substantial absorption or loss of moisture.

At least one embodiment includes a method of producing a nutrientenhanced animal feed product, the method comprising providing an animalfeed component and mixing the animal feed component with the feedadditive composition, as described above. The method can include formingthe feed additive composition, as described above, and/or mixing thefeed component with the feed additive composition at a ratio ofapproximately 0.05-50 kg of the feed additive composition per metric tonof the feed component. The nutrient enhanced animal feed product, feedcomponent, and/or feed additive composition can be in a substantiallysolid state, preferably having a moisture content between about 0.25%and about 20% by weight. Embodiments can also include packaging thenutrient enhanced animal feed product, preferably so as to inhibitsubstantial absorption or loss of moisture.

An exemplary method of producing a nutrient enhanced animal feed productcomprises combining a substantially liquid fermentation product with asubstantially dry and/or solid earthen carrier such that thefermentation product binds to the carrier, preferably by adsorption to asurface of the carrier and/or absorption below the surface of thecarrier, the carrier preferably having an average particle size betweenabout 20-297 μm and/or a moisture content between about 0.25% and about20%, the carrier preferably comprising one or more phyllosilicatematerials, preferably of 1:1 or 2:1 clay mineral variety, thefermentation product preferably comprising a mixture of (i) one or morenon-living and/or non-viable microorganisms, (ii) anaerobic andoptionally aerobic metabolites produced by said one or moremicroorganisms, and (iii) a liquid suspension medium in which themetabolites were produced by said one or more microorganisms. In someembodiments, the combining step is as described above.

The method can further comprise optionally mixing the fermentationproduct-bound carrier with a buffering agent, preferably at a ratio ofbetween about 1:1 to about 1:20, fermentation product-bound carrier tobuffering agent, to form a buffered combination product, the bufferingagent comprises one or more granular or powdered electrolyticsubstances, preferably selected from the group consisting of sodiumsesquicarbonate, sodium carbonate, and sodium bicarbonate, optionallymixing one or more additional supplement components with one or more ofthe fermentation product, the fermentation product-bound carrier, andthe buffered combination product, the one or more additional supplementcomponents selected from the group consisting of vitamins, minerals,trace minerals, amino acids, health supplements, pharmaceuticals, plantextracts (e.g., seaweed extract), phytonutrients, carotenoids, enzymes,probiotics, lignosulfonates, and organic acids (e.g., humic acids), andmixing an animal feed component with one or more of the fermentationproduct-bound carrier, preferably at a ratio of approximately 0.05-50 kgof the fermentation product-bound carrier per metric ton of the feedcomponent and the buffered combination product, preferably at a ratio ofapproximately 0.05-50 kg of the buffered combination product per metricton of the feed component.

Additional embodiments include a method of enhancing the health of ananimal. The method can include administering an effective amount of ananimal feed supplement composition to the animal so as to improve one ormore health indicators of the animal or animal population (e.g., ascompared to a control). The one or more health indicators can beselected from the group consisting of gut lesion count and/or size, gutbacteria count, plate count, and/or size, animal weight and/or bodymass, feed consumption, feed conversion and/or feed conversion ratio(consumed feed-to-body weight (or body weight gain) ratio or feed/gainratio), life span and/or mortality, metabolism and/or metabolic rate,digestion, nitrogen retention, milk production (in mammals), milkquality (as measured by milk fat and/or protein content, etc.), overallhealth and appearance, and so forth. In particular embodiments, themethod can comprise enhancing, improving, or increasing body weight orweight gain, reducing feed consumption and/or improving feed conversionratios (especially under biotic and abiotic stress conditions), reducingmortality (and/or mortality rates in a population), reducing incidenceand/or size of gut lesions, reducing counts, plate counts, size, and/orother incidents of bacteria (e.g., E. coli, Salmonella, etc.), improvingnitrogen retention, increasing milk production in mammals, improvingmilk quality (increased fat and/or protein content, etc.) in mammals,improving metabolizable energy levels, improving digestion, improvingoverall health and appearance, and so forth.

An exemplary method of enhancing the health of an animal comprisesadministering an effective amount of an animal feed additive compositionto the animal so as to improve one or more health indicators of theanimal or animal population. The composition and one or more healthindicators can be as described above. The step of administering cancomprise feeding the feed additive composition to the animal such thatthe animal ingests the effective amount of the animal feed additivecomposition. For instance, the administering step can comprise mixingthe feed additive composition with an animal feed component, preferablyat a ratio of approximately 0.05-50 kg of the composition per metric tonof the feed component and feeding the animal with the mixture of thefeed additive composition and feed component such that the animalingests the effective amount of the animal feed additive composition.

In some embodiments, the animal comprises a broiler chicken. The feedcomponent can comprise one or more chicken feeds selected from the groupconsisting of a starter feed, a grower feed, and a finishing feed. Thechicken can be subjected to biotic or abiotic stress conditions. Themethod can include reducing gut lesion formation in the animal by astatistically significant amount, preferably by at least (or a minimumof) 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, or 50% as compared to acontrol. The method can include reducing gut bacteria (e.g., gut E. colior Salmonella) count in the animal by a statistically significantamount, preferably by at least (or a minimum of) 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%,30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, or 50%, as compared to a control. The method caninclude increasing body weight of the animal by a statisticallysignificant amount, preferably by at least (or a minimum of) 0.75%, 1%,1.25%, 1.5%, or 2%, as compared to a control. The method can includedecreasing feed conversion (or consumed feed-to-body weight) ratio ormortality-adjusted feed conversion ratio in the animal by astatistically significant amount, preferably by at least (or a minimumof) 3.5%, 3.75%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, 10%, 15%, or 20%, as comparedto a control. The method can include increasing life span (or decreasingmortality) of the animal by a statistically significant amount,preferably by at least (or a minimum of) 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%,35%, 40%, 45%, or 50%, as compared to a control.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure have enhanced, surprising,and/or unexpected antifungal and/or fungal growth-inhibiting activity oreffects. For instance, in certain embodiments, the microbialfermentation product-bound carrier (with or without the buffering agent)resists, inhibits, and/or reduces fungal growth on animal feedcomponents with which it is mixed or combined. Accordingly, someembodiments include an antifungal or fungal growth-inhibitingcomposition (e.g., feed additive composition having antifungal and/orfungal growth-inhibiting properties). The antifungal or fungalgrowth-inhibiting composition can comprise a microbial fermentationproduct-bound carrier (with or without the buffering agent), asdescribed herein. The antifungal or fungus-resistant composition caninclude or be added to an animal feed component or product. Theantifungal or fungal growth-inhibiting composition can reduce the growthof fungus on the animal feed component or product.

Some embodiments can include a method of reducing or inhibiting fungalgrowth on animal feed or animal feed products. The method can comprisecombining a microbial fermentation product-bound carrier (with orwithout the buffering agent) to the animal feed or animal feed product.The microbial fermentation product-bound carrier (with or without thebuffering agent) can reduce or inhibit fungal growth on the animal feedor animal feed product (e.g., by at least, greater than, between, and/orabout 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%,70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98%, or 99%, for or within a period oftime, as compared to a control and/or the animal feed or animal feedproduct alone (i.e., without the microbial fermentation product-boundcarrier mixed therewith)). In at least one embodiment, the microbialfermentation product-bound carrier (with or without the buffering agent)can protect against and/or inhibit (e.g., reduce, decrease, attenuate,prevent, etc.) fungal contamination, infection, and/or growth on theanimal feed or animal feed product for or within a period of time. Theperiod of time can be by at least, greater than, between, and/or about1-52 weeks, or any amount of time or range of time therebetween.

The method can include producing the microbial fermentationproduct-bound carrier (with or without the buffering agent), such as byapplying (e.g., dry-binding) the microbial fermentation product to thecarrier and optionally adding the buffering agent thereto. The methodcan include administering a mixture of the microbial fermentationproduct-bound carrier (with or without the buffering agent) and theanimal feed or animal feed product to an animal. In some embodiments,the method can reduce rates of fungal infection, disease, and/ormortality in animals to which the product is administered, as comparedto a control or animal (or population) to which the product is notadministered.

Some embodiments can include:

A composition, preferably an antifungal composition, comprising:

a carrier; and

a microbial fermentation product bound to the carrier, the fermentationproduct comprising components of a microbial fermentation culture,including:

-   -   cellular material of one or more microorganisms; and    -   one or more anaerobic metabolite products of the one or more        microorganisms.

Optionally, wherein the carrier comprises one or more phyllosilicates.

Optionally, wherein the one or more phyllosilicates are of the 1:1 or2:1 clay mineral variety, preferably selected from the group consistingof aliettite, attapulgite, bentonite, chlorite, dickite, halloysite,hectorite, illite, kaolinite, montmorillonite, nacrite, nontronite,palygorskite, saponite, sauconite, sepiolite, serpentine, talc, andvermiculite.

Optionally, wherein the carrier comprises a substantially dry, solidcarrier, the fermentation product being adsorbed to a surface of thecarrier and/or absorbed below the surface of the carrier.

Optionally, wherein the carrier comprises a liquid carrier, preferablyselected from the group consisting of water, molasses, liquid feed, oil,or liquid medicaments.

Optionally, wherein the fermentation product further comprises one ormore components of a suspension culture medium.

Optionally, wherein the fermentation product further comprises one ormore aerobic metabolites of the one or more microorganisms.

Optionally, wherein the one or more microorganisms comprise one or moresingle-celled microorganisms, preferably prokaryotic bacteria.

Optionally, wherein the one or more single-celled microorganisms,preferably prokaryotic bacteria, are of Lactobacillus acidophilus andoptionally one or more additional microbial species or strain, the oneor more additional microbial species or strain preferably comprising oneor more additional bacterial species or strain.

Optionally, wherein the one or more microorganisms comprise yeast and/orfungi, the cellular structural components comprising lysed cellularstructural components of the yeast and/or fungi, and the one or moreanaerobic metabolite products comprising one or more anaerobicmetabolite products of the yeast and/or fungi.

Optionally, wherein the fermentation product-bound carrier has anaverage particle size between about 20-297 μm.

Optionally, wherein the fermentation product-bound carrier has amoisture content between about 0.25% and about 5% by weight.

Optionally, wherein the cellular material comprises cellular structuralcomponents of the one or more one or more microorganisms, the cellularstructural components preferably comprising cell wall or fragmentsthereof and/or organelle or fragments thereof.

Optionally, wherein the cellular structural components comprise cellularstructural components of lysed microorganisms.

Optionally, wherein less than about 50%, or less than about 40%, or lessthan about 30%, or less than about 25%, or less than about 20%, or lessthan about 15%, or less than about 10%, or less than about 5%, or lessthan about 1%, or less than about 0.5%, or less than about 0.25%, orless than about 0.1%, or less than about 0.05%, or less than about0.01%, of the one or more microorganisms are living or viable.

Optionally, further comprising one or more additional componentsselected from the group consisting of vitamins, minerals or traceminerals, amino acids, health supplements, pharmaceuticals,nutraceuticals, plants or plant parts, plant products or extracts,herbs, phytonutrients, carotenoids, enzymes, probiotics,lignosulfonates, and organic acids.

Optionally, wherein one or more of the vitamins and/or minerals arebound or chelated to at least one of the metabolites such that thebioavailability of the at least one of the metabolites is increasedthereby.

Optionally, further comprising a buffering agent mixed with thefermentation product-bound carrier.

Optionally, wherein the buffering agent is mixed with the fermentationproduct bound-carrier at a ratio between about 1:1 and about 1:20,fermentation product-bound carrier to buffering agent, or vice versa.

Optionally, wherein the buffering agent comprises one or more granularor powdered electrolytic substances comprising one or more of sodiumsesquicarbonate, sodium carbonate, and sodium bicarbonate.

Optionally, wherein the buffering agent has a moisture content betweenabout 0.25% and about 5% by weight.

Optionally, wherein the composition is mixed with an animal feedcomponent, the feed component comprising solid feed and/or liquid feed,the liquid feed preferably comprising water.

Optionally, wherein the feed component has a moisture content betweenabout 0.25% and about 20% by weight.

Optionally, wherein the composition is mixed with the feed component ata ratio of approximately 0.05-50 kg of the composition per metric ton ofthe feed component.

Optionally, wherein the feed component comprises a drinking-water.

Optionally, wherein the fermentation product-bound carrier is mixed withthe drinking-water at a ratio of approximately 5-5000 milliliters offermentation product-bound carrier per 1000 liters of drinking-water.

A composition, preferably an antifungal composition, comprising:

a substantially dry, earthen carrier comprising one or morephyllosilicates; and

a microbial fermentation product bound to the carrier, the fermentationproduct being adsorbed to a surface of the carrier and/or absorbed belowthe surface of the carrier, the fermentation product comprisingcomponents of a microbial suspension culture, including:

-   -   one or more components of a suspension culture medium;    -   cellular structural components of one or more microorganisms;        and    -   one or more anaerobic metabolite products of the one or more        microorganisms,

the composition comprising less than about 50% living microorganisms.

Optionally, further comprising a buffering agent mixed with thefermentation product-bound carrier, the buffering agent comprising oneor more granular or powdered electrolytic substances selected from thegroup consisting of sodium sesquicarbonate, sodium carbonate, sodiumbicarbonate, and combinations thereof.

Optionally, wherein the composition has a moisture content between about0.25% and about 20% by weight.

A method of manufacturing a composition, preferably an antifungalcomposition, comprising applying a microbial fermentation product to acarrier such that the fermentation product binds to the carrier, thefermentation product comprising:

cellular material of one or more microorganisms, the one or moremicroorganisms preferably comprising one or more single-celledmicroorganisms; and

one or more anaerobic metabolite products of the one or moremicroorganisms.

Optionally, wherein the carrier comprises one or more phyllosilicates.

Optionally, wherein the one or more phyllosilicates are selected fromthe group consisting of 1:1 clay mineral phyllosilicates, 2:1 claymineral phyllosilicates, aliettite, attapulgite, bentonite, chlorite,dickite, halloysite, hectorite, illite, kaolinite, montmorillonite,nacrite, nontronite, palygorskite, saponite, sauconite, sepiolite,serpentine, talc, vermiculite, and combinations thereof.

Optionally, wherein the carrier comprises a substantially dry and/orsolid carrier, the fermentation product being adsorbed to a surface ofthe carrier and/or absorbed below the surface of the carrier.

Optionally, wherein the fermentation product is applied to the carrierat a ratio of approximately 1:1 by weight to approximately 1:20 byweight, fermentation product to carrier, or vice versa.

Optionally, wherein the carrier comprises a liquid carrier, whereinapplying the fermentation product to the carrier comprises dissolving,suspending, dispersing, or otherwise disposing the fermentation productin the liquid carrier.

Optionally, wherein the fermentation product further comprises a liquidsuspension culture medium, the cellular material and one or moreanaerobic metabolite products being disposed in the liquid suspensionculture medium, and wherein applying the fermentation product to thecarrier comprises fluidly applying the fermentation product to thecarrier.

Optionally, wherein the fermentation product further comprises one ormore aerobic metabolites of the one or more microorganisms.

Optionally, wherein the fermentation product-bound carrier has anaverage particle size between about 20-297 μm.

Optionally, wherein the fermentation product-bound carrier has amoisture content between about 0.25% and about 20% by weight.

Optionally, wherein the one or more microorganisms comprise prokaryoticbacteria, the cellular material comprising cellular structuralcomponents of the prokaryotic bacteria, the one or more anaerobicmetabolite products comprising one or more anaerobic metabolite productsof the prokaryotic bacteria.

Optionally, wherein the prokaryotic bacteria are of Lactobacillusacidophilus and preferably one or more additional microbial species orstrain, the one or more additional microbial species or strainpreferably comprising one or more additional bacterial species orstrain.

Optionally, wherein the one or more microorganisms comprise yeast and/orfungi, the cellular structural components comprising lysed cellularstructural components of the yeast and/or fungi, the one or moreanaerobic metabolite products comprising one or more anaerobicmetabolite products of the yeast and/or fungi.

Optionally, wherein the cellular material comprises cellular structuralcomponents of the one or more microorganisms.

Optionally, wherein the cellular structural components comprise cellularstructural components of lysed microorganisms.

Optionally, wherein the fermentation product is applied to the carrierat a ratio of approximately 1:1 by weight.

Optionally, further comprising cultivating a microbial fermentationsuspension culture for a first period of time, the microbialfermentation suspension culture comprising a liquid fermentation culturemedium and the one or more microorganisms, the one or moremicroorganisms undergoing anaerobic metabolism or cellular respirationduring the first period of time.

Optionally, further comprising killing or inactivating the one or moremicroorganisms such that less than about 50%, or less than about 40%, orless than about 30%, or less than about 25%, or less than about 20%, orless than about 15%, or less than about 10%, or less than about 5%, orless than about 1%, or less than about 0.5%, or less than about 0.25%,or less than about 0.1%, or less than about 0.05%, or less than about0.01%, of the one or more microorganisms are living or viable.

Optionally, further comprising one or more steps selected from the groupconsisting of:

mixing the carrier while applying the fermentation product thereto;

applying a flow of air to the carrier while applying the fermentationproduct thereto and/or after applying the fermentation product thereto,preferably over a period of time between about 12-120 hours and/or untilthe fermentation product-bound carrier has a moisture content betweenabout 0.25% and about 20% by weight;

mixing the carrier with the fermentation product applied thereto whileapplying a flow of air;

maintaining the carrier with the fermentation product applied thereto ata temperature below about 60° C. for a first period of time; andmaintaining the carrier with the fermentation product applied thereto ata pH between about 2-10.

Optionally, wherein applying the fermentation product to the carriercomprises physically or chemically reacting at least a portion of thefermentation product with the carrier.

Optionally, further comprising packaging the fermentation product-boundcarrier so as to inhibit substantial absorption or loss of moisture bythe packaged fermentation product-bound carrier.

Optionally, further comprising mixing a buffering agent with thefermentation product-bound carrier to form a buffered combinationproduct.

Optionally, wherein the buffering agent is mixed with the fermentationproduct-bound carrier at a ratio between about 1:1 and about 1:20,fermentation product-bound carrier to buffering agent, or vice versa.

Optionally, wherein the buffering agent comprises one or more granularor powdered electrolytic substances selected from the group consistingof sodium sesquicarbonate, sodium carbonate, and sodium bicarbonate.

Optionally, wherein the buffering agent has a moisture content betweenabout 0.25% and about 5% by weight.

Optionally, further comprising packaging the buffered combinationproduct so as to inhibit substantial absorption or loss of moisture bythe packaged buffered combination product.

Optionally, further comprising mixing the buffered combination productwith an animal feed component, the feed component comprising solid feedand/or liquid feed, the liquid feed preferably comprising water.

Optionally, wherein the feed component is mixed with the bufferedcombination product at a ratio of approximately 0.05-50 kg of thebuffered combination product per metric ton of the feed component.

Optionally, further comprising packaging the buffered combinationproduct mixed with the feed component so as to inhibit substantialabsorption or loss of moisture by the packaged buffered combinationproduct.

Optionally, further comprising mixing the fermentation product-boundcarrier with an animal feed component, the feed component comprisingsolid feed and/or liquid feed, the liquid feed preferably comprisingwater.

Optionally, wherein the fermentation product-bound carrier is mixed withthe feed component at a ratio of approximately 0.05-50 kg of thefermentation product-bound carrier per metric ton of the feed component.

Optionally, further comprising packaging the fermentation product-boundcarrier mixed with the feed component so as to inhibit substantialabsorption or loss of moisture by the packaged buffered combinationproduct.

Optionally, wherein the feed component has a moisture content betweenabout 1% and about 20% by weight.

Optionally, further comprising mixing one or more additional componentswith the fermentation product and/or fermentation product-bound carrier,the one or more additional components selected from the group consistingof vitamins, minerals or trace minerals, amino acids, healthsupplements, pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, plants or plant parts,plant products or extracts, herbs, phytonutrients, carotenoids, enzymes,probiotics, lignosulfonates, and organic acids.

Optionally, wherein one or more of the vitamins and/or minerals arebound or chelated to at least one of the metabolites such that thebioavailability of the at least one of the metabolites is increasedthereby.

A method of manufacturing any of the described compositions, the methodcomprising fluidly applying the microbial fermentation product in liquidform to the carrier such that the fermentation product binds to thecarrier.

A method of manufacturing a composition, preferably an antifungalcomposition, comprising:

cultivating a microbial fermentation suspension culture, the culturecomprising a liquid fermentation culture medium, one or moremicroorganisms, and anaerobic metabolites of the one or moremicroorganisms, the one or more microorganisms preferably comprising oneor more single-celled microorganisms;

killing or inactivating the one or more microorganisms in the culture toproduce a fermentation product, the fermentation product comprising theliquid fermentation culture medium, the killed or inactivated one ormore microorganisms, and the anaerobic metabolites, preferably whereinless than about 50% of the one or more microorganisms are living orviable in the fermentation product; and

fluidly applying the fermentation product to a solid carrier such thatthe fermentation product binds to the carrier.

A method of manufacturing a composition, preferably an antifungalcomposition, comprising:

cultivating a microbial fermentation suspension culture for a firstperiod of time, the microbial fermentation suspension culture comprisinga liquid fermentation culture medium; one or more microorganisms; andanaerobic metabolites of the one or more microorganisms, the one or moremicroorganisms preferably comprising one or more single-celledmicroorganisms;

killing or inactivating the one or more microorganisms in the suspensionculture such that less than about 50% of the one or more microorganismsare living or viable, thereby producing a fermentation product, thefermentation product comprising the liquid fermentation culture medium,the killed or inactivated one or more microorganisms, and the anaerobicmetabolites; and

fluidly applying the fermentation product to a solid carrier, preferablyat a ratio of approximately 1:1 by weight, such that the fermentationproduct binds to the carrier, preferably by adsorption to a surface ofthe carrier and/or absorption below the surface of the carrier, thecarrier preferably comprising one or more phyllosilicate materials,preferably of 1:1 or 2:1 clay mineral variety.

Optionally, further comprising one or more steps selected from the groupconsisting of:

mixing the carrier, preferably at a speed between about 10-200 rpm,while applying the fermentation product thereto;

applying a flow of air to the fermentation product-bound carrier,preferably over a period of time between about 12-120 hours and/or untilthe fermentation product-bound carrier a moisture content between about0.25% and about 20% by weight;

mixing the fermentation product-bound carrier, preferably at a speedbetween about 10-200 rpm, while applying the flow of air;

maintaining the fermentation product-bound carrier at a temperaturebelow about 60° C.; and

maintaining the fermentation product-bound carrier at a pH between about2-10, preferably about 3-8, more preferably between about 3-6, stillmore preferably between about 4-5.

Optionally, further comprising mixing the fermentation product-boundcarrier with a buffering agent to form a buffered combination product,the buffered combination product preferably having a moisture contentbetween about 1% and about 20% by weight, the buffering agent comprisingone or more granular or powdered electrolytic substances, preferablyselected from the group consisting of sodium sesquicarbonate, sodiumcarbonate, and sodium bicarbonate.

A method of producing a nutrient enhanced animal feed product,comprising:

combining a substantially liquid fermentation product with asubstantially dry and/or solid earthen carrier such that thefermentation product binds to the carrier, preferably by adsorption to asurface of the carrier and/or absorption below the surface of thecarrier, the carrier preferably having an average particle size betweenabout 20-297 μm and/or a moisture content between about 1% and about 20%by weight, the carrier preferably comprising one or more phyllosilicatematerials, preferably of 1:1 or 2:1 clay mineral variety, thefermentation product preferably comprising a mixture of (i) non-livingand/or non-viable microorganisms, the non-living and/or non-viablemicroorganisms preferably comprising lysed microorganisms, themicroorganisms preferably comprising one or more single-celledmicroorganisms, (ii) anaerobic and optionally aerobic metabolitesproduced by said microorganisms, and (iii) a liquid suspension medium inwhich the metabolites were produced by said microorganisms, thefermentation product preferably comprising less than about 50% livingand/or viable microorganisms, wherein the combining step comprises:

-   -   fluidly applying the fermentation product to the earthen        carrier, preferably at a ratio of approximately 1:1 by weight;    -   mixing the carrier, preferably at a speed between about 10-200        rpm;    -   applying a flow of air to the carrier, preferably (i) while        mixing the carrier, (ii) over a period of time between about        12-120 hours, and/or (iii) until the fermentation product-bound        carrier has a moisture content between about 0.25% and about 20%        by weight;    -   maintaining the fermentation product-bound carrier at a        temperature below about 60° C., preferably below about 38° C.;        and    -   maintaining the fermentation product-bound carrier at a pH        between about 2-10, preferably about 3-8, more preferably        between about 3-6, still more preferably between about 4-5;

optionally mixing the fermentation product-bound carrier with abuffering agent, preferably at a ratio of between about 1:4 to about1:8, fermentation product-bound carrier to buffering agent, to form abuffered combination product, the buffering agent comprises one or moregranular or powdered electrolytic substances, preferably selected fromthe group consisting of sodium sesquicarbonate, sodium carbonate, andsodium bicarbonate;

optionally mixing one or more additional supplement components with oneor more of the fermentation product, the fermentation product-boundcarrier, and the buffered combination product, the one or moreadditional supplement components selected from the group consisting ofvitamins, minerals, trace minerals, amino acids, health supplements,pharmaceuticals, plant extracts, phytonutrients, carotenoids, enzymes,probiotics, lignosulfonates, and organic acids; and

mixing an animal feed component with one or more of:

-   -   the fermentation product-bound carrier, preferably at a ratio of        approximately 0.05-50 kg of the fermentation product-bound        carrier per metric ton of the feed component; and    -   the buffered combination product, preferably at a ratio of        approximately 0.05-50 kg of the buffered combination product per        metric ton of the feed component, the feed component comprising        solid feed and/or liquid feed, the liquid feed preferably        comprising water.

A nutrient enhanced animal feed product, comprising:

an animal feed component, the feed component comprising solid feed; and

a feed additive composition mixed with the feed component, the feedadditive composition comprising:

-   -   an earthen carrier; and    -   a fermentation product derived from one or more microorganisms,        the one or more microorganisms preferably comprising one or more        single-celled microorganisms, the fermentation product being        bound to the carrier.

A method of enhancing the health of an animal, comprising administeringan effective amount of any of the described compositions to an animal soas to improve one or more health indicators of the animal.

A method of supplementing the diet of an animal, comprisingadministering an effective amount of an animal nutrient composition tothe animal, the composition, comprising:

a carrier; and

a fermentation product bound to the carrier.

A method of enhancing the health of an animal, comprising:

administering an effective amount of an animal nutrient composition tothe animal so as to improve one or more health indicators of the animal,the composition, comprising:

-   -   a carrier; and    -   a fermentation product derived from one or more microorganisms,        the one or more microorganisms preferably comprising one or more        single-celled microorganisms, the fermentation product being        bound to the carrier,    -   the one or more health indicators being selected from the group        consisting of:    -   gut lesion formation;    -   gut bacteria count;    -   weight gain;    -   feed conversion ratio; and    -   life span.

Optionally, wherein the composition is in substantially dry and/or solidstate, preferably having a moisture content between about 1% and about20%.

Optionally, wherein the fermentation product comprises:

-   -   one or more metabolites produced by one or more microorganisms;        and    -   cellular material of the one or more microorganisms, the        cellular material preferably comprising cellular components of        lysed prokaryotic bacteria, preferably of Lactobacillus        acidophilus and optionally one or more additional microbial        species or strain, the one or more additional microbial species        or strain preferably comprising one or more additional bacterial        species or strain.

Optionally, wherein the fermentation product further comprisescomponents of a growth medium in which the metabolites were produced bythe one or more microorganisms.

Optionally, wherein the carrier comprises an earthen carrier, preferablycomprising one or more phyllosilicates, preferably of 1:1 or 2:1 claymineral variety, more preferably selected from the group consisting ofaliettite, attapulgite, bentonite, chlorite, dickite, halloysite,hectorite, illite, kaolinite, montmorillonite, nacrite, nontronite,palygorskite, saponite, sauconite, sepiolite, serpentine, talc, andvermiculite, the earthen carrier preferably being in a substantiallysolid state, more preferably having a particle size between about 20-297μm.

Optionally, wherein the composition further comprises a mixture ofvitamins and minerals, one or more of the vitamins and minerals beingpreferably bound or chelated to at least one of the cellular metabolitessuch the bioavailability of at least one of the cellular metabolites isincreased thereby.

Optionally, wherein the composition further comprises a buffering agentmixed with the fermentation product-bound carrier, preferably at a ratioof between about 1:4 to about 1:8, fermentation product-bound carrier tobuffering agent, the buffering agent preferably comprising one or moregranular or powdered electrolytic substances, more preferably selectedfrom the group consisting of sodium sesquicarbonate, sodium carbonate,and sodium bicarbonate.

Optionally, wherein administering an effective amount of the compositionto the animal comprises feeding the composition to the animal such thatthe animal ingests the effective amount of the composition.

Optionally, wherein administering an effective amount of the compositionto the animal further comprises:

mixing the composition with an animal feed component, preferably at aratio of approximately 0.05-50 kg of the composition per metric ton of asolid feed component or approximately 5-5000 milliliters of compositionper 1000 liters of a liquid feed component, the liquid feed componentpreferably comprising drinking-water; and

feeding the animal with the mixture of the composition and feedcomponent such that the animal ingests the effective amount of theanimal feed additive composition.

Optionally, wherein the mixture of the feed additive composition andfeed component is in substantially dry and/or solid state, preferablyhaving a moisture content between about 1% and about 20%.

Optionally, wherein the animal comprises a chicken, preferably a broilerchicken, the feed component comprising one or more chicken feedsselected from the group consisting of a starter feed, a grower feed, anda finishing feed.

Optionally, further comprising reducing gut lesion formation in theanimal by a statistically significant amount, preferably by at least 5%,10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, or 50%, as compared to acontrol.

Optionally, further comprising reducing gut bacteria count, preferablygut E. coli or Salmonella count, in the animal by a statisticallysignificant amount, preferably by at least 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%,35%, 40%, 45%, or 50%, as compared to a control.

Optionally, further comprising increasing body weight of the animal by astatistically significant amount, preferably by at least 0.75%, morepreferably by at least 1%, still more preferably by at least 1.25%,still more preferably by at least 1.5%, still more preferably by atleast 2%, as compared to a control.

Optionally, further comprising decreasing feed conversion ratio in theanimal by a statistically significant amount, preferably by at least3.5%, more preferably by at least 3.75%, still more preferably by atleast 4%, still more preferably by at least 5%, still more preferably byat least 6%, still more preferably by at least 7%, still more preferablyby at least 8%, still more preferably by at least 9%, still morepreferably by at least 10%, as compared to a control.

Optionally, further comprising increasing life span of the animal by astatistically significant amount, preferably by at least 5%, or by atleast 10%, or by at least 15%, or by at least 20%, or by at least 25%,or by at least 30%, or by at least 35%, or by at least 40%, or by atleast 45%, or by at least 50%, as compared to a control.

A method of administering a nutrient supplement to an animal, the methodcomprising:

cultivating a microbial fermentation suspension culture, the culturecomprising a liquid fermentation culture medium, one or moremicroorganisms, and anaerobic metabolites of the one or moremicroorganisms, the one or more microorganisms preferably comprising oneor more single-celled microorganisms;

killing or inactivating the one or more microorganisms in the culture toproduce a fermentation product, the fermentation product comprising theliquid fermentation culture medium, the killed or inactivated one ormore microorganisms, and the anaerobic metabolites, preferably whereinless than about 50% of the one or more microorganisms are living and/orviable in the fermentation product; and

fluidly applying the fermentation product to a carrier; and

administering the fermentation product-applied carrier to an animal.

A nutrient enhanced animal feed product, comprising:

an animal feed component, the feed component comprising liquid feed, theliquid feed preferably comprising drinking-water; and

a feed additive composition mixed with the feed component, the feedadditive composition comprising a fermentation product derived from oneor more microorganisms, the one or more microorganisms preferablycomprising one or more single-celled microorganisms, the fermentationproduct being bound to or mixed with the carrier.

A method of inhibiting fungal growth on an animal feed product,comprising:

mixing the animal feed component with an antifungal composition, theantifungal composition comprising:

-   -   a carrier; and    -   a microbial fermentation product bound to the carrier, the        fermentation product comprising components of a microbial        fermentation culture, including:        -   cellular material of one or more microorganisms, the one or            more microorganisms preferably comprising one or more            single-celled microorganisms; and        -   one or more anaerobic metabolite products of the one or more            microorganisms.

Optionally, wherein the antifungal composition further comprises abuffering agent.

Optionally, wherein the antifungal composition further comprises one ormore additional supplement components selected from the group consistingof vitamins, minerals, trace minerals, amino acids, health supplements,pharmaceuticals, plant extracts, phytonutrients, carotenoids, enzymes,probiotics, lignosulfonates, and organic acids.

Optionally, further comprising manufacturing the antifungal composition,wherein manufacturing the antifungal composition comprises combining asubstantially liquid microbial fermentation product with a substantiallydry and/or solid earthen carrier such that the fermentation productbinds to the carrier, preferably by adsorption to a surface of thecarrier and/or absorption below the surface of the carrier, the carrierpreferably having an average particle size between about 20-297 μmand/or a moisture content between about 1% and about 20% by weight, thecarrier preferably comprising one or more phyllosilicate materials,preferably of 1:1 or 2:1 clay mineral variety, the fermentation productpreferably comprising a mixture of (i) non-living and/or non-viablemicroorganisms, the non-living and/or non-viable microorganismspreferably comprising lysed microorganisms, the microorganismspreferably comprising one or more single-celled microorganisms, (ii)anaerobic and optionally aerobic metabolites produced by saidmicroorganisms, and (iii) a liquid suspension medium in which themetabolites were produced by said microorganisms, the fermentationproduct preferably comprising less than about 50% living and/or viablemicroorganisms.

Any one of the foregoing, wherein the fermentation product issubstantially and/or entirely devoid of probiotic and/or livingmicroorganism of one or more variety.

A composition or method substantially as described in the application.

Some embodiments may include any of the features, options, and/orpossibilities set out elsewhere in the present disclosure, including inother aspects or embodiments of the present disclosure. It is also notedthat each of the foregoing, following, and/or other features describedherein represent a distinct embodiment of the present disclosure.Moreover, combinations of any two or more of such features representdistinct embodiments of the present disclosure. Such features orembodiments can also be combined in any suitable combination and/ororder without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Thus, each ofthe features described herein can be combinable with any one or moreother features described herein in any suitable combination and/ororder. Accordingly, the present disclosure is not limited to thespecific combinations of exemplary embodiments described in detailherein.

Additional features and advantages of exemplary embodiments of thepresent disclosure will be set forth in the description which follows,and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned bythe practice of such exemplary embodiments. The features and advantagesof such embodiments may be realized and obtained by means of theinstruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appendedclaims. These and other features will become more fully apparent fromthe following description and appended claims, or may be learned by thepractice of such exemplary embodiments as set forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to describe the manner in which the above-recited and otheradvantages and features of the present disclosure can be obtained, amore particular description of the embodiments briefly described abovewill be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which areillustrated in the appended drawings. For better understanding, the likeelements have been designated by like reference numbers throughout theFIGURE(S). Understanding that these drawings depict only typicalembodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered tobe limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explainedwith additional specificity and detail through the use of theaccompanying drawing(s) in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a diagrammatic flow chart illustrating a method ofmanufacturing and administering an animal feed supplement according toan embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before describing various embodiments of the present disclosure indetail, it is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited tothe specific features of the particularly exemplified systems, methods,and/or products described herein that may vary from one embodiment tothe next. Thus, while certain embodiments of the present disclosure willbe described in detail, with reference to specific features (e.g.,components, ingredients, parts, portions, elements, members,combinations, configurations, parameters, properties, steps, etc.), thedescriptions are illustrative and are not to be construed as limitingthe scope of the present disclosure and/or the claimed invention. It isalso to be understood that much, if not all of the terminology usedherein is only for the purpose of describing particular embodiments ofthe present disclosure, and is not necessarily intended to limit thescope of the disclosure in any particular manner.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which the present disclosure pertains.

Various aspects of the present disclosure, including systems, methods,and/or products may be illustrated with reference to one or moreembodiments or implementations, which are exemplary in nature. As usedherein, the terms “embodiment” and “implementation” mean “serving as anexample, instance, or illustration,” and should not necessarily beconstrued as preferred or advantageous over other aspects disclosedherein. In addition, reference to an “implementation” of the presentdisclosure or invention includes a specific reference to one or moreembodiments thereof, and vice versa, and is intended to provideillustrative examples without limiting the scope of the invention, whichis indicated by the appended claims rather than by the descriptionthereof.

As used throughout this disclosure, the words “can” and “may” are usedin a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), ratherthan the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Additionally, the terms“including,” “having,” “involving,” “containing,” “characterized by,”variants thereof (e.g., “includes,” “has,” and “involves,” “contains,”etc.), and similar terms as used herein, including the claims, shall beinclusive and/or open-ended, shall have the same meaning as the word“comprising” and variants thereof (e.g., “comprise” and “comprises”),and do not exclude additional, un-recited elements or method steps,illustratively.

As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singularforms “a,” “an” and “the” each contemplate, include, and specificallydisclose both the singular and plural referents, unless the contextclearly dictates otherwise. For example, reference to a “carrier”contemplates and specifically discloses one, as well as two or morenucleic acids. Similarly, use of a plural referent does not necessarilyrequire a plurality of such referents, but contemplates, includes, andspecifically discloses one, as well as two or more of such referents,unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

It will also be appreciated that where two or more values, or a range ofvalues (e.g., less than, greater than, at least, and/or up to a certainvalue, and/or between two recited values) is disclosed or recited, anyspecific value or range of values falling within the disclosed values orrange of values is likewise specifically disclosed and contemplatedherein. Thus, disclosure of an illustrative measurement (e.g., length,width, thickness, etc.) that is less than or equal to about 10 units orbetween 0 and 10 units includes, illustratively, a specific disclosureof: (i) a measurement of 9 units, 5 units, 1 units, or any other valuebetween 0 and 10 units, including 0 units and/or 10 units; and/or (ii) ameasurement between 9 units and 1 units, between 8 units and 2 units,between 6 units and 4 units, and/or any other range of values between 0and 10 units.

Various aspects or embodiments of the present disclosure can beillustrated by describing components that are bound, coupled, attached,connected, and/or joined together. As used herein, the terms “bound,”“coupled”, “attached”, “connected,” and/or “joined” are used to indicateeither a direct association between two components or, whereappropriate, an indirect association with one another throughintervening or intermediate components. In contrast, when a component isreferred to as being “directly bound,” “directly coupled”, “directlyattached”, “directly connected,” and/or “directly joined” to anothercomponent, no intervening elements are present or contemplated.Furthermore, binding, coupling, attaching, connecting, and/or joiningcan comprise mechanical, physical, and/or chemical association.

In addition, various aspects or embodiments of the present disclosurecan be illustrated by describing components that are mixed together. Asused herein, “mixed,” “mixing,” and similar terms indicate a physicalcombining or combination of two or more components. In some embodiments,the physical combining or combination results in a (chemical and/orphysical) reaction. Such chemical reactions can be evidenced by a changein the chemical composition, pH, or other indicator relative to thecomponents prior to being mixed (or as expected after being mixed absentthe reaction). Thus, mixing and/or mixed components can include reactingand/or reacted components in certain embodiments. Accordingly, referenceto mixing or mixed components includes a reference to reacting orreacted components.

To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used,where possible, to designate like elements common to the FIGURES.Specifically, in the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the FIGURES,like structures will be provided with similar reference designations,where possible. Specific language will be used herein to describe theexemplary embodiments. Nevertheless it will be understood that nolimitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Rather,it is to be understood that the language used to describe the exemplaryembodiments is illustrative only and is not to be construed as limitingthe scope of the disclosure (unless such language is expressly describedherein as essential).

While the detailed description is separated into sections, the sectionheaders and contents within each section are for organizational purposesonly and are not intended to be self-contained descriptions andembodiments or to limit the scope of the description or the claims.Rather, the contents of each section within the detailed description areintended to be read and understood as a collective whole, where elementsof one section may pertain to and/or inform other sections. Accordingly,embodiments specifically disclosed within one section may also relate toand/or serve as additional and/or alternative embodiments in anothersection having the same and/or similar products, methods, and/orterminology.

Embodiments of the present disclosure include animal feed productscompositions, and kits, and methods and/or processes for making andusing the same. In particular, embodiments of the present disclosurerelate to an animal feed additive or a composition that includes ananimal feed mixed with an animal feed additive, and to methods ofmanufacturing and/or using the same (e.g., to enhance the health of ananimal). The animal feed additive (or feed supplement) can include acarrier and a fermentation product bound to the carrier. The additivecan also include a buffering agent mixed with the fermentationproduct-bound carrier. In some embodiments, the supplement can includeone or more additional ingredients. Other embodiments include asupplemented animal feed product that includes an animal feed componentmixed with an animal feed supplement.

Some embodiments include a method of manufacturing an animal feedsupplement. The method can include applying a fermentation product to acarrier to form a combination product. In some embodiments, thefermentation product can bind to the carrier to form a fermentationproduct-bound carrier. In some embodiments, the fermentation product canreact with the carrier. The method can also include mixing thecombination product with a buffering agent to form a bufferedcombination product. In some embodiments, the method can include mixingone or more additional ingredients with the fermentation product,combination product, and/or buffered combination product. Someembodiments include a method of manufacturing a supplemented animal feedproduct. The method can include mixing an animal feed supplement with ananimal feed component. The animal feed component can be in solid form(e.g., animal food), liquid form (e.g., water), or other form (e.g.,mixture). Certain embodiments can also include packaging the combinationproduct, buffered combination product, and/or supplemented animal feedproduct, such as in a sealed, air-tight container.

Additional embodiments include a method of enhancing the health of ananimal. The method can include administering an effective amount of ananimal feed supplement composition to the animal so as to improve one ormore health indicators of the animal or animal population (e.g., ascompared to a control). For instance, the animal feed supplementcomposition can be administered to the animal by mixing the animal feedsupplement (in granular, powdered, pellet, tablet, or other form) withan animal feed or feed component, such as food or water, or any othersuitable method. The one or more health indicators can be selected fromthe group consisting of (decreased) gut lesion count and/or size,(decreased) gut bacteria count and/or size, (increased) weight gain,(enhanced) feed conversion ratio (i.e., the measure of an animal'sefficiency in converting feed mass into body mass or weight),(decreased) mortality, and (decreased) mortality-adjusted feed/gainratio.

Each of the foregoing and other embodiments, including specificcomponents, characteristics, and/or features thereof, will now bediscussed in further detail.

Exemplary Carriers

As used herein, “carrier” and similar terms refer to a component adaptedfor conveying a substance. For instance, the carrier component cancomprise a solid, dry, and/or substantially dry carrier. In at least oneembodiment, the carrier can comprise an organic and/or earthen carrier,comprising one or more organic and/or earth components or materials.Earthen carriers, components, and/or materials can include, for example,phyllosilicate(s) (e.g., of potassium (K), sodium (Na), calcium (Ca),and/or aluminum (Al)). The phyllosilicate can be of the chlorite, clay,mica, or serpentine variety. In at least one embodiment, the carrier cancomprise one or more 1:1 or 2:1 clay mineral phyllosilicates.

Exemplary carriers can comprise, without limitation, aliettite,attapulgite, beidellite, bentonite, biotite, calcium silicate, calciumstearate, chlorite (e.g., clinochlore, chamosite, nimite, pennantite,and/or zinc, lithium, and/or calcium species thereof), cookeite,diatomite and/or other diatomaceous earth products, dickite, glauconite,halloysite, hectorite, hydrophobic silica, illite, kaolin, kaolinite,montmorillonite, muscovite, nacrite, nontronite, palygorskite, phyllite,saponite, sauconite, sepiolite, sericite, serpentine, smectite, talc,tonstein, and vermiculite. Certain carriers can be or comprise anaturally-occurring material or component. Other carriers can be orcomprise an artificial and/or synthesized material or component.Carriers can also include (dried) plant materials and/or extracts, e.g.,meal, flour, protein powders, seaweed, and so forth.

In some embodiments, the carrier can have a moisture content of lessthan about 20% by weight, less than about 15% by weight, less than about10% by weight, less than about 5% by weight, less than about 3% byweight, less than about 2% by weight, or less than about 1% by weight.In at least one embodiment, the carrier can have a moisture contentbetween about 0.25% and about 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 10%, 15%, or 20% byweight, between about 0.5% and about 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 10%, 15%, or20% by weight, between about 1% and about 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 10%, 15%, or20% by weight, or between about 2% and about 3%, 4%, 5%, 10%, 15%, or20% by weight. As used herein, the term “substantially dry carrier”refers to a carrier having one or more of the foregoing moisturecontents. Such substantially dry carriers can be understood generally tobe solid, dry substances, while still having at least some moistureassociated therewith.

In some embodiments, the carrier can be in powdered, granular, and/orparticulate form or have an average particle size between about 20-297μm (e.g., corresponding to approximately 625-50 mesh). In at least onepreferred embodiment, the carrier can have an average particle size ofabout 74 μm (or about 200 mesh)+/−20%, 15%, 10%, 8%, or 5%. In certainembodiments, the solid carrier can be sized (e.g., by milling, crushing,grinding, etc.) to a suitable average particle size. Accordingly, insome embodiments, the solid carrier can be a mined and milled earthcomponent having a suitable average particle size.

The carrier component can also or alternatively comprise a liquid orliquid composition (e.g., solution, suspension, colloid, mixture, etc.).Exemplary liquid carriers include, without limitation, water, a watersource, a water supply, a liquid feed, an oil, medicaments, or anysuitable liquid composition or carrier, such as a solvent (of asolution), a continuous phase (of a colloid), an external phase (of asuspension), etc.

Thus, the carrier can comprise any suitable material adapted for orcapable of conveying a substance. In addition, the carrier can beingested by an animal. For instance, the carrier can be edible andadapted to be consumed by the animal. For instance, the carrier can beknown to be consumed by the animal

Exemplary Fermentation Products

As used herein, a (microbial, bacterial, yeast, fungal, etc.)“fermentation product” or similar term refers to a resultant of at leasta period of anaerobic metabolism or cellular respiration (e.g., by oneor more microorganisms), as understood by those skilled in the art, andnot merely bulk or other growth (e.g., of such microorganism(s) on or ina growth medium). In some embodiment, the fermentation product can alsoresult from (one or more periods of) aerobic metabolism. Thefermentation product can comprise a condensed and/or extractedfermentation product, a presscake, fermentation solubles, a fermentationextract, dried fermentation solubles, liquid fermentation product, driedfermentation biomass, or a combination thereof. As used herein, a“liquid fermentation product” or similar term refers to a fermentationproduct in liquid form. For instance, the liquid fermentation productcan be or comprise components of a liquid fermentation culture (e.g., awhole or complete microbial fermentation suspension culture), includinga (at least partially spent or post-fermentation) liquid culture mediumor component(s) thereof, one or more microorganisms and/or cellularmaterial (e.g., structural components) thereof, one or more(fermentation, anaerobic, aerobic, and/or other) metabolites (producedby the microorganisms, and other components as known in the art.

The microbial fermentation product can be processed (e.g., purified,filtered, isolated, separated, etc.) or crude (e.g., unprocessed). Insome embodiments, the fermentation product can comprise thesubstantially unpurified resultant of microbial anaerobic (andoptionally aerobic) metabolism, including one or more (fermentation)metabolites, a (liquid) fermentation medium (e.g., remaining after afermentation process), and/or microbial cellular and/or structuralcomponents (e.g., whole cell lysate).

In at least one embodiment, the fermentation product includes one ormore microorganisms and/or cellular material, such as cellularstructural components, including cell wall or fragments thereof,organelle or fragments thereof, and so forth, genetic material,macromolecules, or other component thereof. As used herein, the terms“microorganism,” “microbial organism,” “microbe,” and the like refer toa species or strain of bacteria, archaea, certain protozoa, fungi, suchas yeast, mold, etc., and algae, whether single-celled or multicellularorganism, whether prokaryotic or eukaryotic, as understood by thoseskilled in the art. In some embodiments, the fermentation productincludes (whole-cell) lysed microorganisms. The one or moremicroorganisms may include any number of microorganism species orstrains, including, without limitation, one, two, three, four, five,six, seven, eight, nine, ten, or any other number of discrete (e.g.,separately identifiable) microorganism strains or species.

Exemplary bacteria can include, without limitation: a species or strainof Acetobacter, including species aceti, xylinum, suboxydans, and soforth; a species or strain of Bacillus, including species apiaries,azotofixans, brevis, cereus, circulans, coagulans, laterosporus, lentus,licheniformis, macerans, marinus, megaterium, pasteurii, polymyxa,pulvifaciens, pumilus, schlegelii, sphaericus, stearothermophilus,subtilis, thiaminolyticus, thuringiensis, tusciae, and so forth; aspecies or strain of Bacteroides, including species amylophilus,copillosus, ruminocola, suis, and so forth; a species or strain ofBifidobacterium, including species adolescentis, animalis, bifidum,infantis, longum, thermophilum, and so forth; a species or strain ofEnterococcus, including species cremoris, diacetylactis, faecium,intermedius, lactis, thermophilus, and so forth; a species or strain ofLactobacillus, including species acidophilus, brevis, buchneri,bulgaricus, casei, cellobiosus, curvatus, delbruekii, farciminis,fermentum, helveticus, lactis, plantarum, reuteri, and so forth; aspecies or strain of Leuconostoc, including species citovorum,dextranicum, mesenteroides, and so forth; a species or strain ofMegasphaera, including species elsdenii, and so forth; a species orstrain of Pediococcus, including species acidilactici, cerevisiae(damnosus), pentosaceus, and so forth; a species or strain ofPropionibacterium, including species freudenreichii, shermanii, and soforth; a species or strain of Rhodopseudomonas, including speciespalustris, and so forth; and/or a species or strain of Streptococcus,including species cremoirs, diacetilactis, faecium, intermedius, lactis,salivarius, thermophilus, and so forth. Other embodiments include, forexample, a species or strain of Streptomyces, including speciesnatalensis, chattanoogensis, griseus, and so forth; a species or strainof Xanthomonas, including species campestris, and so forth; a species orstrain of Rhizopus, including species niveus, and so forth; a species orstrain of Micrococcus, including species lysodeikticus, and so forth; aspecies or strain of Bacillus, including species cereus, and so forth;and/or a species or strain of Leuconostoc, including species citovorum,dextranicum, and so forth.

In at least one embodiment, the fermentation product can includeLactobacillus acidophilus and/or cellular or structural componentsthereof, and one or more additional microbial (e.g., bacterial, fungal,yeast, mold, algae) species or strains (such as one or more of thoselisted herein) and/or cellular or structural components thereof.

In some embodiments, the one or more microorganisms do not include abacteria or bacterial species or strain or are substantially devoid ofbacteria and/or cellular or structural components thereof. For instance,in some embodiments, the fermentation product can be a fungal (e.g.,yeast and/or mold) fermentation product that is substantially devoid ofbacteria and/or cellular or structural components thereof. Exemplaryfungi can include, without limitation, yeast of phyla Ascomycota, suchas Saccharomycotina and/or Taphrinomycotina (e.g.,Schizosaccharomycetes), and/or phyla Basidiomycota, such asAgaricomycotina (e.g., Tremellomycetes) and/or Pucciniomycotina (e.g.,Microbotryomycetes). Exemplary yeast can include a species or strain ofCandida (previously known as Torulopsis) including species utilis,glabrata, guilliermondii, lipolytica, pseudotropicalis, and so forth; aspecies or strain of Kluyveromyces including species lactis, and soforth; and/or a species or strain of Saccharomyces, including speciescerevisiae, boulardii, fragilis, and so forth. Exemplary fungi canfurther include a species or strain of Aspergillus, including speciesniger, orizae (or oryzae), and so forth; a species or strain ofPenicillium including specise roquefortii, and so forth; a species orstrain of Mucor, including species miehei, pusillus, and so forth; aspecies or strain of Morteirella, including species vinaceae, and soforth; a species or strain of Endothia, including species parasitica,and so forth; and/or a species or strain of Rhizomucor, includingspecies miehei, and so forth.

Some embodiments can be substantially devoid of fungi, yeast, mold,and/or cellular or structural components of any one or more of theforegoing. For instance, in some embodiments, the fermentation productcan be a bacterial fermentation product that is substantially devoid offungi, yeast, mold, and/or cellular or structural components of any oneor more of the foregoing. Some embodiments can be substantially devoidof mold and/or cellular or structural components thereof. For instance,in some embodiments, the fermentation product can be a bacterial and/oryeast fermentation product that is substantially devoid of mold and/orcellular or structural components thereof. Some embodiments can besubstantially devoid of algae and/or cellular or structural componentsthereof. Certain embodiments can include at least one bacterial speciesor strain, at least one fungal (or yeast, or mold) species or strain,and/or at least one algae species or strain.

In some embodiments, the one or more microorganisms may be beneficial,as understood by those skilled in the art, and/or may be generallyrecognized as safe (GRAS—an American Food and Drug Administration (FDA)designation, which indicates that a substance added to a food isconsidered safe by experts, and so is exempted from the usual FederalFood, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) food additive tolerancerequirements), as understood by those skilled in the art. Thus, in atleast one embodiment, the fermentation product can be substantiallydevoid of harmful and/or non-GRAS microorganisms, such as E. coli,Salmonella, Listeria, and/or Campylobacter, and/or cellular orstructural components thereof. In some embodiments, the fermentationproduct can also be substantially devoid of certain (harmful) species orstrains of Mycobacterium, Clostridium, Pseudomonas, Shigella, etc.,and/or cellular or structural components thereof. Some embodiments canalso or alternatively include one or more non-GRAS microbes, includingwithout limitation one or more of the non-GRAS microbes disclosedherein.

In at least one embodiment, the one or more microorganisms of thefermentation product can be in a spore form, a vegetative form, ametabolic form, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, however,the one or more microorganisms of the fermentation product can benon-living, non-viable, non-metabolic, and/or lysed. Accordingly, thefermentation product can comprise one or more non-living, non-viable,non-metabolic, and/or lysed microorganism, or cellular material (e.g.,cell structural components) thereof. In addition, the fermentationproduct can be substantially devoid of one or more or any living (e.g.,metabolic, dormant, sporulated, etc.) microorganisms. For instance, thefermentation product can comprise or be comprised of less than about50%, less than about 40%, less than about 30%, less than about 25%, lessthan about 20%, less than about 15%, less than about 10%, less thanabout 5%, less than about 1%, less than about 0.5%, less than about0.25%, less than about 0.1%, less than about 0.05%, less than about0.01%, or less living or viable microorganisms. Accordingly, whereasprobiotic products or direct-fed microorganism (DFM)-containing productsmay comprise live cultures, a source of live or viable, naturallyoccurring microorganisms, etc., some embodiments of the presentdisclosure can include a microbial fermentation product that issubstantially or entirely devoid of live or viable microorganisms (ofone or more varieties). In particular, the microorganisms can beintentionally killed and/or inactivated (e.g., by lysing, such as bysonication, vigorous mixing or blending, heat inactivation, pHinactivation, and so forth), as known in the art.

As indicated above, the fermentation product can also include a liquid(fermentation) medium (e.g., remaining after a fermentation process).Accordingly, the fermentation product can comprise a resultant ofmicrobial liquid suspension culture grown in anaerobic (and optionallyaerobic) conditions. The medium can include a liquid base component,such as water or a nutrient broth (e.g., Lysogeny Broth (LB), M9, fluidthioglycollate medium (FTM), NZ, NZY, or NZYM broths, SOB, SuperBroth,2X YT, MOPS, SOC, TB, and so forth). The medium can also include one ormore nutrient, growth, and/or other components (e.g., remaining afterthe fermentation process), such as (i) a carbon source (e.g.,carbohydrate, such as glucose, sucrose, fructose, lactose, galactose,etc.), (ii) (inorganic) nitrogen source (e.g., ammonium, urea, etc.),(iii) protein or amino acid source (e.g., synthetic proteins or aminoacids, natural, plant- and/or animal-derived proteins or amino acids,such as whey, milk, or milk-based product, etc.), (iv) vitamin (e.g.,thiamine (Vitamin B₁), riboflavin (Vitamin B₂), niacin (Vitamin B₃),choline (Vitamin B₄), pantothenic acid (Vitamin B₅), pyridoxal (VitaminB₆), biotin (Vitamin B₇), inositol (e.g., myo-inositol, Vitamin B₈,etc.), folic acid (Vitamin B₉), benzoic acid (e.g., para amino benzoicacid (PABA), Vitamin B₁₀, etc.), salicylic acid (Vitamin B₁₁), cobalamin(Vitamin B₁₂), Vitamin E, Vitamin D, Vitamin K, Vitamin A, Vitamin C,Vitamin H, etc.) or coenzyme thereof (e.g., ascorbate, retinol, etc.),(v) mineral (e.g., sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, etc.), (vi)trace element (e.g. copper, iron, manganese, zinc, molybdenum, chromium,selenium, etc.), (vii) essential element (e.g., magnesium, nitrogen,phosphorus, sulfur), (viii) salt(s) thereof (e.g., molybdate, cellulite,sulfate, chloride, propionate, etc.), (ix) salt (e.g., potassiumphosphate, sodium phosphate, sodium chloride, ammonium chloride,magnesium sulfate, calcium chloride, etc.), (x) plant, including acomponent, part, or extract thereof (e.g., seaweed, such as kelp (e.g.,brown algae (Phaeophyceae), such as Ascophyllum nodosum, optionally inmeal form (e.g., dried and ground), (xi) yeast or extract thereof, (xii)enzyme, and/or (xiii) any other suitable (fermentation) culturecomponent, as known to those skilled in the art. In addition, certainfermentation products can specifically exclude one or more of theforegoing or other known culture components (e.g., serum, growth factor,hormone, enzyme, antibiotic, beef extract, whole blood, heat-treatedblood, etc.). It will be appreciated that one or more components foundin the medium can be added to the medium before, during, and/or afterone or more growth phases of the culture. Alternatively, or in addition,it will be appreciated that one or more components found in the mediumcan be produced by the microbes growing in the fermentation culture(e.g., as (fermentation) metabolites).

The fermentation product can include one or more metabolites. In atleast one embodiment, the one or more metabolites comprise fermentationor other metabolites produced by the microorganisms (e.g., duringanaerobic and optionally aerobic metabolism). Microbial fermentationmetabolites can include, without limitation, one or more organic acids(e.g., lactic acid, humic acid, carboxylic acid (e.g., carbonic acid,acetic acid, formic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, valeric acid,caproic acid, etc.), citric acid, salicylic acid, ascorbic acid, and soforth) amino acids, carbohydrates, fats, fatty-acids, enzymes, vitamins,and/or any other microbial metabolite component, as known to thoseskilled in the art. The metabolite(s) can be nutritionally beneficial toone or more animals (e.g., birds, mammals, etc.). In some embodiments,the fermentation product can include one or more microorganism wasteproducts. In some embodiments, the metabolite(s) can be or comprise oneor more microorganism waste products. In at least one embodiment, thefermentation product can be substantially devoid of antimicrobials(e.g., bacteriocins, antibiotics, hydrogen peroxide, and so forth);certain enzymes (e.g., proteases, amylases, lipases, glycosidases, DNAand/or RNA polymerases), and so forth.

In some embodiments, the metabolites can be at least partially purified(e.g., away from undesirable matter, such as waste products,fermentation medium, microbial cellular and/or structural material,etc.). Alternatively, the metabolites can be substantially unpurified inone or more embodiments. The substantially unpurified metabolites can bedisposed in the microbial organisms and/or the (liquid) fermentationmedium (e.g., outside of the microbial organisms). In some embodiments,the microorganisms can be lysed (e.g., such that substantially all ofthe metabolites are free in solution (i.e., not contained within themicroorganisms)). Accordingly, in some embodiments, the fermentationproduct can comprise a mixture (e.g., solution, colloid, suspension,colloidal suspension, emulsion, etc.) of post-fermentation liquidmedium, one or more microbial fermentation metabolites (e.g., anaerobicand/or aerobic metabolic products), and microbial cellular and/orstructural components (e.g., whole cell lysate). In at least oneembodiment, the mixture can be crude, raw, and/or substantiallyunpurified.

Exemplary fermentation methods, parameters, etc. include those known tothose skilled in the art. The fermentation product can be prepared byone or more fermentation processes, including growing of one or moremicrobial (e.g., bacterial) species or strains or cell lines on a solidgrowth medium, as known in the art. The microbial culture can be grownin natural and/or ambient conditions in some embodiments. In otherembodiments, the culture can be grown in artificial and/or optimizedconditions. The microbial cultures can be grown at abiologically-suitable temperature (e.g., between about 20-50 degreesCelsius (° C.) or between about 30-40° C.), acidity (pH) (e.g., about3.0-8.0), etc. Moreover, the growth medium can include one or more ofthe above-described or other medium components, including, withoutlimitation, a (substantially solid) base component (e.g., agar or othersuitable base component), nutrient, growth, and/or other components(e.g., carbon and/or (inorganic) nitrogen source, vitamin, mineral,trace element, essential element, amino acid, amino acid source, salt,yeast extract, and/or any other culture component, as known to thoseskilled in the art. In at least one embodiment, the microbial culturecan be grown in aerobic and/or anaerobic conditions.

In some embodiments, the fermentation process can also includeinoculating one or more (of the) viable microorganisms or microbiallines (or colonies thereof) into a liquid growth medium (e.g., to form astarter suspension culture), as known in the art. Liquid (suspension)cultures can also be grown in natural and/or ambient or artificialand/or optimized conditions, as described above. The liquid growthmedium can include one or more of the above-described or other mediumcomponents.

In at least one embodiment, the viable starter culture (or a suitableportion thereof, including a whole fraction, extract, cell pellet, etc.thereof) can be transferred into liquid fermentation medium (e.g., toform a liquid fermentation culture). The liquid fermentation mediumand/or culture can be disposed in a bioreactor, flask, or other suitablegrowth container. Moreover, the liquid fermentation medium and/orculture can include one or more of the above-described or other mediumcomponents. Similarly, the liquid fermentation culture can also be grownin natural and/or ambient or artificial and/or optimized conditions, asdescribed above. In at least one alternative embodiment, the one or moreviable microorganisms or microbial lines (or colonies thereof) can beinoculated directly into a liquid fermentation medium.

The fermentation culture can be grown under anaerobic and/or aerobicconditions for a first period of time and/or under first fermentationconditions, as known in the art and described herein. For instance, thefermentation culture can be grown for between about 0.5 days and about 5days, at a temperature between about 10-50° C., and/or at a pH betweenabout 2-10. After the first period of time, the fermentation culture canbe grown under anaerobic and/or aerobic conditions for a second periodof time and/or under second fermentation conditions, as known in the artand described herein. For instance, the second period of time can bebetween 0.5 days and about 5 days. The second fermentation conditionscan include a temperature between about 10-50° C., a pH between about 2and about 10, etc. In some embodiments, the second period of time and/orsecond fermentation conditions can be different than the first period oftime and/or first fermentation conditions. For instance, thefermentation culture (or suitable portion thereof) can be transferredinto the second fermentation conditions and/or a second fermentationmedium. The second fermentation medium can be disposed in a bioreactor,flask, or other suitable growth container and/or can include one or moreof the above-described or other medium components.

It will be appreciated that the fermentation process can also includeadditional period(s) of time, fermentation condition(s), fermentationmedia, etc., as known in the art and described herein. At the completionof the fermentation process, the fermentation culture can be or comprisea microbial fermentation product and/or can be optionally and/oradditionally processed to form a microbial fermentation product. Forinstance, in certain embodiments, the (anaerobically and/or aerobicallymetabolic) microorganisms of the fermentation culture can beintentionally killed and/or inactivated (e.g., by lysing, such as bysonication, vigorous mixing, or blending, heat inactivation, pHinactivation or killing, and so forth), as known in the art. In at leastsome embodiments, fermentation metabolites disposed within the microbialcells or organisms of the fermentation culture can thereby be releasedinto the medium (e.g., such that the metabolites are free in solution orother liquid medium type). The non-living, non-viable, non-metabolic,and/or lysed microorganism, or cellular material (cell structuralcomponents) thereof, can be retained in the liquid fermentation mediumor at least partially (e.g., substantially and/or completely) removedtherefrom (e.g., via (ultra) centrifugation, filtration, etc.). Incertain embodiments, the fermentation product comprises a whole-celland/or whole-culture lysate of the fermentation culture (e.g., withoutsubstantial removal, purification, isolation, etc. of one or more (e.g.,any) component(s) of the fermentation culture). In alternativeembodiments, however, one or more components of the fermentation culturecan be at least partially and/or substantially removed, purified,isolated, etc.

Accordingly, the fermentation product can be in a substantially liquid(suspension, solution, colloid, gel, slurry, etc.) form and/or caninclude one or more components of a microbial fermentation culture(e.g., prepared as described herein and/or as known in the art). In atleast one exemplary embodiment, the fermentation product can comprise aliquid suspension comprising the substantially unpurified resultant ofmicrobial anaerobic and optionally aerobic metabolism, including (i)substantially all of the (fermentation) metabolites produced by thefermentation culture, (ii) the liquid fermentation medium in which thefermentation culture was grown (e.g., remaining after a fermentationprocess), and (iii) a whole-cell lysate the microorganisms or culture,including all of the microbial cellular and/or structural components ofthe microorganisms grown in the fermentation culture. Alternatively, thefermentation product can be in substantially solid form (e.g., dried,freeze-dried, vacuum-dried, heat-dried, dehydrated, extracted, etc.),comprising one or more of the foregoing components of the fermentationculture.

A further description of microbial fermentation products, process,ingredients, and the like can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,549,728, theentirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.

Exemplary Buffering Agents

As used herein, the terms “buffer,” “buffering agent” and the like referto a substance adapted for adjusting the acidity (as measured by pH) ofa material or environment to which it is added and/or inhibiting (e.g.,preventing, dampening, attenuating, etc.) a rapid change in the pH ofthe material or environment (e.g., when an acid or base is added). Thebuffering agent can be a weak acid or a weak base used to maintain thepH of a solution near a chosen value after the addition of another acidor base. In some embodiments, the buffering agent can comprise anelectrolyte or electrolyte mixture.

Exemplary buffering agents can include, without limitation, calciumcarbonate, fumaric acid, glucono-delta-lactone, magnesium oxide,magnesium sulfate, potassium carbonate, potassium bicarbonate, potassiumchloride, potassium sulfate, sodium bentonite, sodium carbonate, sodiumbicarbonate, sodium sesquicarbonate, and combinations thereof. In someembodiments, the buffering agents can be naturally-occurring (e.g.,mined and/or otherwise collected, etc.), synthetic, or a mixturethereof. For instance, a sodium sesquicarbonate component can comprisenaturally-occurring sodium sesquicarbonate, or a mixture of sodiumcarbonate and sodium bicarbonate, in certain embodiments.

The buffering agent can be in a substantially liquid (e.g., dissolved orotherwise disposed in a liquid) or in substantially solid and/or dry(e.g., particulate, granular, powdered, etc.) form. In at least oneembodiment, the solid buffering agent can have a moisture content ofless than about 20% by weight, less than about 19% by weight, less thanabout 15% by weight, less than about 10% by weight, less than about 5%by weight, less than about 3% by weight, less than about 2% by weight,or less than about 1% by weight. In at least one embodiment, thebuffering agent can have a moisture content between about 0.25% andabout 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 10%, 15%, or 20% by weight, between about 0.5%and about 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 10%, 15%, or 20% by weight, between about1% and about 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 10%, 15%, or 20% by weight, or betweenabout 2% and about 3%, 4%, 5%, 10%, 15%, or 20% by weight. Accordingly,the solid buffering agent can be substantially dry. The buffering agentcan also be in particulate, granular, powdered, or other form in someembodiments.

Exemplary Animal Feed Components

As used herein, “feed,” “animal feed,” “feed component,” “animal feedcomponent,” and similar terms refer to a product adapted for animalconsumption. For instance, in some embodiments, the feed or feedcomponent can comprise an edible food that includes one or moreessential nutrients (e.g., vitamins, minerals, proteins, carbohydrates,fats, fatty-acids, etc.) or other components necessary and/or sufficientfor the growth and/or maintenance of live animals. In at least someembodiments, the feed or feed component is or comprises a complete,final, or finished feed product, as known in the art. In someembodiments, the feed or feed component is or comprises a pre-mix,grain, filler, or other components as known in the art. The feed or feedcomponent can also or alternatively comprise water, molasses, or otherconsumable liquid or fluid.

Furthermore, such feed or feed component can be both edible and adaptedto be consumed by the animal. For instance, the feed can be known to beconsumed by the animal. As used herein, “animal” and similar terms referto a multicellular, eukaryotic organism, including vertebrates such asbirds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and fish, as well asinvertebrates, including shellfish, such as mollusks, (e.g., squid,cuttlefish, octopus, etc.), crustaceans (e.g., crabs, lobsters,crayfish, shrimp, etc.), echinoderms (e.g. starfish, sea urchins, seacucumbers, etc.), worms, etc. Illustrative animals include husbandryanimals, cattle, (dairy) ruminants, domestic animals, farm animals,companion animals, pets, performance animals, etc. It is noted thathumans are also animals, as understood by those skilled in the art. Itwill be appreciated, however, that in some embodiments, an animal feedis adapted for consumption by one or more non-human animals.

Certain embodiments can comprise a feed component adapted forconsumption by a specific animal or animal type. For instance, someembodiments can comprise poultry feed (e.g., mash, pellets, crumbles,scratch, grain, etc.) as understood by those skilled in the art. Otherembodiments can include feed adapted for ruminants or ruminating mammals(e.g., cattle (dairy, livestock, draft, etc.), goats, sheep, giraffes,yaks, deer, antelope, etc.), swine (e.g., pigs, hogs, boars, etc.),camelids (e.g., camels, alpacas, lamas, etc.), domestic house pets(e.g., cats, dogs, rabbits, etc.), rodents (e.g., hamsters, gerbils,guinea pigs, etc.), and so forth.

In some embodiments, the feed can be substantially dry. For instance,the feed can have a moisture content of less than about 20% by weight,less than about 19% by weight, less than about 15% by weight, less thanabout 10% by weight, less than about 5% by weight, less than about 3% byweight, less than about 2% by weight, or less than about 1% by weight.In at least one embodiment, the feed can have a moisture content betweenabout 0.25% and about 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 10%, 15%, or 20% by weight,between about 0.5% and about 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 10%, 15%, or 20% byweight, between about 1% and about 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 10%, 15%, or 20% byweight, or between about 2% and about 3%, 4%, 5%, 10%, 15%, or 20% byweight. In other embodiments, the feed can comprise a wet feed, having amoisture content greater than about 20% by weight.

Exemplary Additional Components

Some embodiments of the present disclosure can include one or moreadditional (health supplementing) components and/or ingredients. Forinstance, embodiments can include one or more vitamins (e.g., optionallyselected, independently, from the group consisting of Vitamin A, VitaminB complex (e.g., Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B4, VitaminB5, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B7, Vitamin B8, Vitamin B9, Vitamin B12,Choline), Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, and/or Vitamin K, etc.). Anillustrative embodiment can include one or more minerals or traceminerals (or elements) (e.g., optionally selected, independently, fromthe group consisting of magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, potassium,sodium, boron, cobalt, chloride, chromium, copper, fluoride, iodine,iron, manganese, molybdenum, selenium, zinc, nickel, vanadium, silicon,and/or tin, etc.). Certain embodiments can include, for example, one ormore of copper, manganese, and/or boron. Some embodiments can includeone or more additional components selected from one or more: amino acids(e.g., essential and/or non-essential), health supplements (e.g.,glucosamine, chondroitin, etc.), pharmaceuticals (e.g., chemicaladditive, medicated animal feed component, etc.), nutraceuticals, plantsor plant parts (e.g., berries, leaves, stems, roots, shoots, seedling,cotyledon, etc.), plant products or extracts (e.g., seaweed extracts),herbs, phytonutrients, carotenoids, enzymes (e.g., amylase, xylanase,proteases, phytase, glucanase), probiotics, lignosulfonates, organicacids (e.g., humic acids), etc. Certain embodiments can be substantiallyand/or entirely devoid of probiotic and/or living microorganism of oneor more variety.

Certain embodiments can include one or more surfactants, such as abinding and/or emulsifying agent (e.g., diacetyl tartaric acid esters ofmono and diglucerides, edible fats and oils, edible fat-forming fattyacids, ethoxylated mono and diglycerides, methyl glucoside coconut oilester, mineral oil, mono and diglycerides of edible fats or oils oredible fat-forming acids, monosodium phosphate derivatives of mono anddiglycerides of edible fats or oils or edible fat-forming fatty acids,polyoxyethylene glycol 400 (mono and dioleates), polysorbate 80,polysorbate 60 (polyoxy ethylene (20) sorbitan monostearate, propyleneglycol, sodium stearoyl lactylate, sorbitan mono-stearate with orwithout polysorbate 60, Tween 80 (T-80), etc., or combination thereof.

Some embodiments can include one or more stabilizing, anti-caking,and/or processing agents (e.g., carrageenan, gelatin gum, guar gum,lecithin, locust bean gum, stearic acid, sodiumcarboxy-methyl-cellulose,sodium silico-aluminate, tara gum, etc.), dust control agents (e.g.,mineral oil, paraffin, etc., or a combination of two or more of theforegoing), preservatives (e.g., calcium propionate, sodium benzoate,etc.) and/or other beneficial animal feed ingredients, or combinationthereof.

Some embodiments can also include one or more diluting agents ordiluents. The one or more diluting agents or diluents can dilute one ormore of the product or supplement components into the feed component ofthe mixture. The one or more diluting agents or diluents can also oralternatively enhance uniform distribution of the product or supplementcomponent(s) into the feed component of the mixture. Exemplary dilutingagents or diluents can include, without limitation, a vegetable orgrain, an oil (e.g., corn, canola, olive, etc.), a pre-mix, a vitaminand/or mineral mix, an initial portion of the animal feed component, anearthen carrier, or any other suitable product or supplementcomponent-diluting or distributing element. In certain embodiments thatinclude a buffering agent, the one or more diluting agents or diluentscan comprise the buffering agent.

Exemplary Combination Products

As used herein, “combination product” and similar terms refer to acomposition, mixture, or other combination (e.g., reaction product) thatincludes at least a fermentation product and a carrier of the presentdisclosure. For instance, the combination product can be, comprise, orinclude the fermentation product applied to the carrier, thefermentation product bound to the carrier (also termed the fermentationproduct-bound carrier), and/or the fermentation product bound to thecarrier and mixed with one or more additional components, such as abuffering agent (also termed buffered combination product, bufferedfermentation product-bound carrier, etc.) and/or additional ingredient(e.g., vitamin(s), mineral(s) or trace mineral(s), amino acid(s), healthsupplement(s), pharmaceutical(s), nutraceutical(s), plant(s) or plantpart(s), plant product(s) or extract(s), herb(s), phytonutrient(s),carotenoid(s), enzyme(s), probiotic(s), lignosulfonate(s), organicacid(s), and/or any other suitable additive or other component, asdescribed above. Certain embodiments can be substantially and/orentirely devoid of probiotic and/or living microorganism of one or morevariety.

In at least one embodiment, the fermentation product can be bound to thecarrier to form a combination product (or fermentation product-boundcarrier). For instance, the fermentation product can be physicallyand/or chemically bound to the carrier (e.g., by chemical reaction ormeans). In some embodiments, the fermentation product can be bound tothe carrier by static electricity or by a force other than (general ormacro) static electricity. In certain embodiments, binding of thefermentation to the carrier can increase bioavailability of at least oneof the metabolites (e.g., relative to being free in solution orextracted, purified, and/or isolated from solution or cell).Accordingly, the fermentation product can be applied to the carrier,bound to the outer surface of the carrier, and/or bound to a portion ofthe carrier adjacent to or below the surface. For instance, in someembodiments, at least a portion of the liquid fermentation product canbe (i) adsorbed to the surface of the carrier and/or (ii) absorbed belowthe surface of the carrier. The liquid fermentation product can also bebound to the carrier by drying thereon and/or therein after beingapplied thereto. Thus, in certain embodiments, the liquid fermentationproduct can be at least partially dry-bound to the carrier. As usedherein, “dry-bound,” and similar terms refers to the persistent and/orsustained physical association of two or more substances by physicaland/or chemical forces established during a drying process.

In at least one embodiment, the fermentation product can substantiallyor at least partially coat the carrier. For instance, the fermentationproduct can be applied to the carrier (e.g., such that the liquidportion of the fermentation product does not dissolve the carrier and/orsuch that the applied portion of the fermentation product substantiallyor at least partially coat surrounds the carrier). In some embodiments,at least a portion of the fermentation product can be chemically boundto the carrier. For instance, the fermentation product can be reactedwith the carrier (e.g., such that a physical and/or chemical bindingreaction occurs). The reaction can be endothermic or exothermic. Inaddition, the reaction can be facilitated and/or accelerated by one ormore enzymes or other reaction components or parameters (e.g., heat, air(flow), mixing, etc.). The enzyme or other component can be a metabolicreaction product, a fermentation culture component, and/or a separatecomponent added prior to or during application of the fermentationproduct to the carrier.

In some embodiments, the fermentation product-bound carrier can be in asolid form. For instance, the fermentation product-bound carrier canhave a moisture content of less than about 20% by weight, less thanabout 15% by weight, less than about 10% by weight, less than about 5%by weight, less than about 3% by weight, less than about 2% by weight,or less than about 1% by weight. In at least one embodiment, thefermentation product-bound carrier can have a moisture content betweenabout 0.25% and about 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 10%, 15%, or 20% by weight,between about 0.5% and about 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 10%, 15%, or 20% byweight, between about 1% and about 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 10%, 15%, or 20% byweight, or between about 2% and about 3%, 4%, 5%, 10%, 15%, or 20% byweight. Accordingly, the fermentation product-bound carrier can besubstantially dry. In other embodiments, the fermentation product-boundcarrier can be in a substantially liquid (suspension, solution, colloid,gel, slurry, etc.) form.

In one or more embodiments, the fermentation product can be bound to thecarrier such that the fermentation product and/or one or more componentsthereof is maintained at a suitable pH or pH range, or in an environmenthaving a suitable pH or pH range. For instance, in some embodiments, thecarrier and/or the fermentation product-bound carrier can provide and/orhave a pH between about 2-10, preferably between about 2-8, morepreferably between about 2-6, still more preferably between about 2-5,still more preferably between about 2-4, still more preferably betweenabout 2-3, still more preferably between about 3-10, still morepreferably between about 3-8, still more preferably between about 3-6,still more preferably between about 3-5, still more preferably betweenabout 3-4, still more preferably between about 4-10, still morepreferably between about 4-8, still more preferably between about 4-6,still more preferably between about 4-5.

Some embodiments can include one or more methods and/or materials formaintaining the fermentation product and/or one or more componentsthereof, the fermentation product-bound carrier, and/or other product orcomposition described herein at the suitable pH or pH range, or in anenvironment having a suitable pH or pH range. For instance, in one ormore embodiments, the fermentation product and/or one or more componentsthereof can be reacted with the carrier, adsorbed to the surface of thecarrier, and/or absorbed below the surface of the carrier such that thefermentation product and/or one or more components thereof is maintainedat the suitable pH or pH range, or in a (carrier) environment having thesuitable pH or pH range. In at least one embodiment, the fermentationproduct and/or one or more components thereof can react (chemically)with the carrier and/or one or more components thereof to form acombination product having a suitable pH. Thus, in at least oneembodiment, the carrier (or reacted carrier and fermentation product)can provide and/or have the suitable pH or pH range, or an environmenthaving the suitable pH or pH range.

In some embodiments, the addition of a buffering agent (e.g., asdescribed herein) to the fermentation product-bound carrier can providethe suitable pH or pH range, or environment having the suitable pH or pHrange. For instance, in one or more embodiments, the buffering agentand/or the fermentation product-bound carrier plus buffering agentcombination (i.e., buffered fermentation product-bound carrier) canprovide and/or have a pH between about 2-10, preferably between about2-8, more preferably between about 2-6, still more preferably betweenabout 2-5, still more preferably between about 2-4, still morepreferably between about 2-3, still more preferably between about 3-10,still more preferably between about 3-8, still more preferably betweenabout 3-6, still more preferably between about 3-5, still morepreferably between about 3-4, still more preferably between about 4-10,still more preferably between about 4-8, still more preferably betweenabout 4-6, still more preferably between about 4-5. In at least oneembodiment, the fermentation product-bound carrier can be mixed and/orreacted with the buffering agent at a ratio of less than, up to, atleast, and/or between approximately 1:20, approximately 1:15,approximately 1:10, approximately 1:9, approximately 1:8, approximately1:7, approximately 1:6, approximately 1:5, approximately 1:4,approximately 1:3, approximately 1:2, approximately 1:1, orapproximately 1:0.5, fermentation product-bound carrier to bufferingagent, or vice versa.

The fermentation product-bound carrier and buffering agent can both bein substantially dry and/or solid form. Thus, in some embodiments, thebuffered fermentation product-bound carrier can also be in a solid form.For instance, the buffered fermentation product-bound carrier can have amoisture content of less than about 20% by weight, less than about 15%by weight, less than about 10% by weight, less than about 5% by weight,less than about 3% by weight, less than about 2% by weight, or less thanabout 1% by weight. In at least one embodiment, the fermentationproduct-bound carrier can have a moisture content between about 0.25%and about 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 10%, 15%, or 20% by weight, between about0.5% and about 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 10%, 15%, or 20% by weight, betweenabout 1% and about 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 10%, 15%, or 20% by weight, orbetween about 2% and about 3%, 4%, 5%, 10%, 15%, or 20% by weight.Accordingly, the buffered fermentation product-bound carrier can besubstantially dry. Alternatively, one or more of the fermentationproduct-bound carrier and buffering agent can be in wet, fluid, and/orliquid form (e.g., suspension, solution, colloid, gel, slurry, etc.).

In at least one embodiment, the addition of the fermentationproduct-bound carrier or buffered fermentation product-bound carrier toan animal feed component (e.g., as described herein) can provide thesuitable pH or pH range, or environment having the suitable pH or pHrange, for the animal feed, and vice versa. For instance, in one or moreembodiments, the mixture of animal feed and fermentation product-boundcarrier or buffered fermentation product-bound carrier can provideand/or have a pH between about 2-10, preferably between about 2-8, morepreferably between about 2-6, still more preferably between about 2-5,still more preferably between about 2-4, still more preferably betweenabout 2-3, still more preferably between about 3-10, still morepreferably between about 3-8, still more preferably between about 3-6,still more preferably between about 3-5, still more preferably betweenabout 3-4, still more preferably between about 4-10, still morepreferably between about 4-8, still more preferably between about 4-6,still more preferably between about 4-5.

In some embodiments, the fermentation product-bound carrier or bufferedfermentation product-bound carrier can be mixed (or reacted) with theanimal feed component at any suitable ratio. In one or more embodiments,for example, the fermentation product-bound carrier can be mixed withthe animal feed component at a ratio of up to, at least, and/or betweenapproximately 0.05-50 kg, approximately 0.1-25 kg, approximately 0.25-10kg, approximately 0.25-8 kg, approximately 0.25-5 kg, approximately0.25-4 kg, approximately 0.25-2 kg, approximately 0.25-1 kg,approximately 0.5-10 kg, approximately 0.5-8 kg, approximately 0.5-5 kg,approximately 0.5-4 kg, approximately 0.5-2 kg, approximately 0.5-1 kg,approximately 1-10 kg, approximately 1-8 kg, approximately 1-5 kg,approximately 1-4 kg, approximately 1-2 kg, approximately 1.5-10 kg,approximately 1.5-8 kg, approximately 1.5-5 kg, approximately 1.5-4 kg,approximately 1.5-2 kg, approximately 2-10 kg, approximately 2-8 kg,approximately 2-5 kg, approximately 2-4 kg, approximately 4-10 kg,approximately 4-5 kg, approximately 1 kg, approximately 1.5 kg,approximately 2 kg, approximately 4 kg, approximately 5 kg,approximately 8 kg, approximately 10 kg, approximately 25 kg, orapproximately 50 kg of fermentation product-bound carrier per metric tonof the feed component, or any range therebetween. In some embodiments,the fermentation product-bound carrier can be mixed with the animal feedcomponent at a ratio of less than about 50 kg, less than about 25 kg,less than about 10 kg, less than about 5 kg, less than about 4 kg, lessthan about 3 kg, less than about 2 kg, less than about 1 kg, or lessthan about 0.5 kg of fermentation product-bound carrier per metric tonof the feed component, or any range therebetween. In certainembodiments, the fermentation product-bound carrier can be mixed withthe animal feed component at a ratio of greater than about 0.25 kg,greater than about 0.5 kg, greater than about 0.75 kg, greater thanabout 1 kg, greater than about 2 kg, greater than about 3 kg, greaterthan about 4 kg, greater than about 5 kg, greater than about 6 kg,greater than about 8 kg, greater than about 10 kg, greater than about 15kg, or more of fermentation product-bound carrier per metric ton of thefeed component, or any range therebetween. In at least one embodiment,the fermentation product-bound carrier can be mixed with the animal feedcomponent at a ratio of about 100 g, 200 g, 250 g, 300 g, 400 g, 500 g,750 g, 1000 g, 1500 g, 2000 g, 2500 g, 5000 g, or more of fermentationproduct-bound carrier per 1000 kg of feed or feed component, or anyrange therebetween, or ratio corresponding thereto.

In other embodiments, the buffered fermentation product-bound carriercan be mixed with the animal feed component at a ratio of up to, atleast, and/or between approximately 0.05-50 kg, approximately 0.1-25 kg,approximately 0.25-10 kg, approximately 0.25-8 kg, approximately 0.25-5kg, approximately 0.25-4 kg, approximately 0.25-2 kg, approximately0.25-1 kg, approximately 0.5-10 kg, approximately 0.5-8 kg,approximately 0.5-5 kg, approximately 0.5-4 kg, approximately 0.5-2 kg,approximately 0.5-1 kg, approximately 1-10 kg, approximately 1-8 kg,approximately 1-5 kg, approximately 1-4 kg, approximately 1-2 kg,approximately 1.5-10 kg, approximately 1.5-8 kg, approximately 1.5-5 kg,approximately 1.5-4 kg, approximately 1.5-2 kg, approximately 2-10 kg,approximately 2-8 kg, approximately 2-5 kg, approximately 2-4 kg,approximately 4-10 kg, approximately 4-5 kg, approximately 1 kg,approximately 1.5 kg, approximately 2 kg, approximately 4 kg,approximately 5 kg, approximately 8 kg, approximately 10 kg,approximately 25 kg, or approximately 50 kg of buffered fermentationproduct-bound carrier per metric ton of the feed component, or any rangetherebetween.

In some embodiments, the buffered fermentation product-bound carrier canbe mixed with the animal feed component at a ratio of less than about 50kg, less than about 25 kg, less than about 10 kg, less than about 8 kg,less than about 5 kg, less than about 5 kg, less than about 4 kg, lessthan about 3 kg, less than about 2 kg, less than about 1 kg, or lessthan about 0.5 kg of buffered fermentation product-bound carrier permetric ton of the feed component, or any range therebetween. In certainembodiments, the buffered fermentation product-bound carrier can bemixed with the animal feed component at a ratio of greater than about0.25 kg, greater than about 0.5 kg, greater than about 0.75 kg, greaterthan about 1 kg, greater than about 2 kg, greater than about 3 kg,greater than about 4 kg, greater than about 5 kg, greater than about 6kg, greater than about 8 kg, greater than about 10 kg, greater thanabout 15 kg, or more of buffered fermentation product-bound carrier permetric ton of the feed component, or any range therebetween. In at leastone embodiment, the buffered fermentation product-bound carrier can bemixed with the animal feed component at a ratio of about 100 g, 200 g,250 g, 300 g, 400 g, 500 g, 750 g, 1000 g, 2500 g, 2000 g, 2500 g, 5000g, or more of buffered fermentation product-bound carrier per 1000 kg offeed component, or any range therebetween, or ratio correspondingthereto.

Thus, in some embodiments, the fermentation product-bound carrier orbuffered fermentation product-bound carrier can be mixed with the animalfeed component at any suitable ratio.

In some embodiments, the fermentation product-bound carrier or bufferedfermentation product-bound carrier can be packaged (e.g., with orwithout an animal feed component as described herein). In at least oneembodiment, the packaging can reduce, inhibit, and/or (substantially)prevent substantial absorption or loss of moisture (e.g., outside asuitable range, as described herein) by the packaged product. It will beappreciated that a moisture content above a certain threshold canincrease the risk or occurrence of one or more undesirable effects. Forinstance, in at least one embodiment, a moisture content of greater thanabout 20% by weight, greater than about 15% by weight, greater thanabout 10% by weight, or greater than about 5% by weight can permit,enhance, improve, and/or augment microbial growth on or in (orcontamination of) the packaged product, reduce the stability of thepackaged product or one or more components thereof, etc.

On the other hand, in some embodiments, a moisture content below acertain threshold can increase the risk or occurrence of one or moreother undesirable effects. For instance, a moisture content of less thanabout 0.25% by weight, less than about 0.5% by weight, less than about0.75% by weight, less than about 1% by weight, less than about 1.5% byweight, less than about 2% by weight, less than about 3% by weight, lessthan about 4% by weight, or less than about 5% by weight, can reduce theeffectiveness of the packaged product or one or more components thereof(e.g., in enhancing one or more health indicators in an administeredanimal or animal population), enhance, improve, and/or augment thedecomposition of the packaged product or one or more components thereof,etc.

In one or more alternative embodiments, the combination product cancomprise the liquid fermentation product combined and/or mixed with aliquid carrier. For instance, the liquid fermentation product can becombined and/or mixed with water (e.g., an animal's water supply) toform a combination product. The liquid fermentation product can bedissolved, suspended, dispersed, or otherwise disposed in the liquidcarrier. As used herein, combining and/or mixing a liquid fermentationproduct with a liquid carrier such that the liquid fermentation productbecomes dissolved, suspended, dispersed, or otherwise disposed in theliquid carrier comprises applying the fermentation product to thecarrier such that the fermentation product binds to the carrier. The pHof the liquid composition/combination product can be adjusted, asnecessary, by a buffering agent, as described herein. Additionalingredient(s), as described above, can also be added to (e.g.,dissolved, suspended, dispersed, or otherwise disposed in) the liquidcarrier.

Methods

Some embodiments of the present disclosure can include methods ofmanufacturing an animal feed supplement and/or a supplemented animalfeed. An illustrative method can optionally include producing amicrobial fermentation product (e.g., as known in the art and/ordescribed herein). For instance, the method of producing a microbialfermentation product can include culturing one or more live and/orviable microorganisms (or microbial species or strains or lines thereof)under anaerobic (and optionally aerobic) conditions (e.g., in afermentation medium, etc., as known in the art and/or described herein)and/or such that the microorganisms produce at least one fermentationmetabolite. Some embodiments can also include (intentionally) killingand/or inactivated (e.g., by lysing, such as by sonication, vigorousmixing, or blending, heat inactivation, pH inactivation or killing, andso forth) such that the fermentation product is substantially devoid ofthe live and/or viable microorganisms (e.g., substantially devoid of oneor more or any living microorganisms). The fermentation product can,however, include one or more (e.g., substantially all) cellular and/orstructural components of the microorganisms. The fermentation productcan also include at least one fermentation metabolite and/or thefermentation culture medium (or component(s) thereof).

Some embodiments include mixing (or reacting) one or more vitaminsand/or minerals with the fermentation product. In particular, one ormore of the vitamins and/or minerals can be bound or chelated to atleast one of the metabolites of the fermentation product (e.g., suchthat the bioavailability of the at least one of the metabolites isincreased thereby).

Illustrative methods can also include forming a combination product byat least applying the fermentation product to a carrier. For instance,the fermentation product (in substantially liquid form) can be fluidlyapplied to the carrier, such as by spraying, pouring, dripping, etc.and/or such that the fermentation product binds to the carrier. Thecarrier can be or comprise a solid and/or substantial dry carrier, suchas an earthen carrier, as described herein, optionally comprising one ormore phyllosilicates. The carrier can also or alternatively be orcomprise a liquid carrier, such as water or a water source or supply, asdescribed herein. The fermentation product can be applied to or combinedor mixed with the carrier, such that fermentation product becomesdispersed within or throughout the carrier.

The fermentation product can be applied to the carrier at a ratio of upto, at least, and/or between approximately 1:1 by weight, approximately1:1.5 by weight, approximately 1:2 by weight, approximately 1:2.5 byweight, approximately 1:3 by weight, approximately 1:3.5 by weight,approximately 1:4 by weight, approximately 1:5 by weight, approximately1:6 by weight, approximately 1:7 by weight, approximately 1:8 by weight,approximately 1:9 by weight, or approximately 1:10 by weight,fermentation product to carrier, or vice versa. At least a portion ofthe fermentation product can physically and/or chemically react or mixwith and/or bind to the carrier. For instance, at least a portion of thefermentation product can be adsorbed to a surface of the carrier and/orabsorbed below the surface of the carrier.

At least one embodiment can include mixing the carrier and/orfermentation product-bound carrier (e.g., before, after, and/or whileapplying the fermentation product to the carrier). The carrier and/orfermentation product-bound carrier can be mixed in any suitablecontainer or on any suitable surface. For instance, the carrier can bemixed by rotation (e.g., in a drum or barrel), by shaking (e.g., on orin a tray or receptacle), by stirring (e.g., on or in a tray orreceptacle), and so forth. In addition, the carrier can be mixed at anysuitable speed. Regardless of the specific type of mixing, container,surface, etc., mixing can be measured in terms of revolutions,rotations, and/or reciprocations per minute (rpm). For instance, thecarrier can be mixed at a speed of between about 1-500 rpm, betweenabout 5-300 rpm, between about 10-200 rpm, between about 15-100 rpm,between about 20-60 rpm, between about 30-50 rpm, or any rangetherebetween. In some embodiments, suitable mixing speed can ensure thatthe carrier, fermentation product-bound carrier, and/or othercombination product is appropriately and/or optimally processed. Forinstance, a mixing speed above a certain threshold can reduce the sizeand/or uniformity of product particles below an appropriate and/oroptimal level. Similarly, a mixing speed below a certain threshold caninhibit sufficient or successful application or coating of thefermentation product around or about the carrier and/or can lead toclumping of the product, causing the size and/or uniformity of productparticles to be inappropriate and/or suboptimal. Regardless, the effectsof improper mixing can include reduced stability and/or activity of theproduct.

Certain embodiments can include applying air or a flow of air. The airor flow of air can be applied (i) while mixing the carrier and/orfermentation product-bound carrier (e.g., before, after, and/or whileapplying the fermentation product to the carrier), (ii) over a specific,predetermined, or defined period of time (e.g., between about 6-120hours, between about 12-96 hours, between about 12-120 hours, betweenabout 48-60 hours, etc.) and/or (iii) until the fermentationproduct-bound carrier achieves a suitable moisture content, as describedherein. Moreover, the air flow can be applied at a rate of greater thanor equal to about 25 m³/minute, up to about 200 m³/minute, between about25 m³/minute and about 200 m³/minute, between about 40 m³/minute andabout 150 m³/minute, between about 50 m³/minute and about 100 m³/minute,or between about 60 m³/minute and about 75 m³/minute, in certainembodiments. Preferably, the air or air flow can be applied at a rate ofabout 68 m³/minute. In some embodiments, suitable temperature can ensurethat the mixture dries to a suitable moisture content in a suitableamount of time, thereby reducing, inhibiting, and/or substantiallypreventing and/or avoiding product caking or clumping, microbialcontamination and/or growth, etc.

In at least one embodiment, the method includes maintaining the carrier,mixed fermentation product and carrier, and/or fermentationproduct-bound carrier at a suitable reaction temperature (e.g., belowabout 60° C., below about 58° C., below about 56° C., below about 55°C., below about 52° C., below about 50° C., below about 48° C., belowabout 45° C., below about 42° C., below about 40° C., below about 39°C., below about 38° C., below about 37° C., below about 35° C., belowabout 32° C., below about 30° C., below about 25° C., below about 20°C., etc. and/or above about 5° C., above about 10° C., above about 15°C., or above about 20° C.) during the reaction and/or binding process.In some embodiments, suitable reaction temperature can ensure that thereaction occurs at an optimal speed/rate, the reaction product is dried(at a suitable rate) to a suitable moisture content, etc. In addition,the method can include maintaining the reaction product and/orfermentation product-bound carrier at a suitable maintenance and/orstorage temperature (e.g., below about 42° C., below about 40° C., belowabout 39° C., below about 38° C., below about 37° C., below about 35°C., below about 32° C., below about 30° C., below about 28° C., belowabout 25° C., below about 20° C., below about 15° C., or below about 10°C., below about 5° C., below about 2° C., etc. and/or above about 0° C.,above about 2° C., above about 5° C., above about 10° C., or above about15° C., etc.) after or near completion of the reaction and/or bindingprocess. In some embodiments, a suitable maintenance temperature canimprove, enhance, and/or maintain the stability, longevity, and/orcomposition (i.e., avoiding, reducing, and/or inhibiting decomposition)of the reaction product and/or fermentation product-bound carrier.

In addition, in one or more embodiments, the aforementioned parameters(e.g., mixing, applying, air, temperature, etc.) can cause and/orenhance binding of the fermentation product to the carrier. Forinstance, the parameters can cause and/or enhance adsorption of thefermentation product to the surface of the carrier, absorption of thefermentation product below the surface of the carrier, and/or drying ofthe fermentation product on or in the carrier. Thus, the fermentationproduct can be or become dry-bound to the carrier in some embodiments.

In at least one embodiment, the method can also include maintaining thefermentation product-bound carrier at a suitable reaction pH betweenabout 2-10, preferably between about 2-8, more preferably between about2-6, still more preferably between about 2-5, still more preferablybetween about 2-4, still more preferably between about 2-3, still morepreferably between about 3-10, still more preferably between about 3-8,still more preferably between about 3-6, still more preferably betweenabout 3-5, still more preferably between about 3-4, still morepreferably between about 4-10, still more preferably between about 4-8,still more preferably between about 4-6, still more preferably betweenabout 4-5, etc.) during the reaction and/or binding process. In someembodiments, the suitable pH can ensure and/or enhance the chemicalreaction. The method can also include maintaining the fermentationproduct-bound carrier at a suitable maintenance pH between about 2-10,preferably between about 2-8, more preferably between about 2-6, stillmore preferably between about 2-5, still more preferably between about2-4, still more preferably between about 2-3, still more preferablybetween about 3-10, still more preferably between about 3-8, still morepreferably between about 3-6, still more preferably between about 3-5,still more preferably between about 3-4, still more preferably betweenabout 4-10, still more preferably between about 4-8, still morepreferably between about 4-6, still more preferably between about 4-5,etc.) after or near completion of the reaction and/or binding process.In some embodiments, the suitable maintenance pH can improve, enhance,and/or maintain the stability, longevity, and/or composition (i.e.,avoiding, reducing, and/or inhibiting decomposition) of the reactionproduct and/or fermentation product-bound carrier. In addition, thesuitable maintenance pH can inhibit microbial contamination and/orgrowth on or in the product (e.g., especially at lower pH). In at leastone embodiment, the reaction can have a pH lowering effect (e.g., on thecarrier and/or mixture of carrier and fermentation product).

Some embodiments include mixing (e.g., as described above or otherwisemixing) one or more vitamins and/or minerals with the fermentationproduct-bound carrier (or fermentation product-applied carrier). Asindicated above, one or more of the vitamins and/or minerals can bebound or chelated to at least one of the metabolites of the fermentationproduct (e.g., such that the bioavailability of the at least one of themetabolites is increased thereby). Vitamins and/or minerals can alsoenhance the nutritional value of the product. Embodiments can alsoinclude mixing (e.g., as described above or otherwise mixing) thefermentation product-bound carrier with one or more additionalcomponents (e.g., one or more humic acids, plant extracts, such as aseaweed extract, lignosulfonate, etc.), as described herein.

Some embodiments include mixing (e.g., as described above or otherwisemixing) the fermentation product-bound carrier with an animal feedcomponent (e.g., to form a nutrient enhanced or supplemented animal feedproduct). The fermentation product-bound carrier can be mixed with theanimal feed component at any suitable ratio (e.g., as described herein).It will be appreciated that the mixture can comprise a consistent,heterogeneous mixture of fermentation product-bound carrier and animalfeed component. In some embodiments, suitable ratio of fermentationproduct-bound carrier to feed component can ensure proper nutritionalsupplementation and/or nutrient delivery to the administered animals.For instance, if too little of the fermentation product-bound carrier isadded, the animal may not receive adequate nutrition. However, if toomuch of the fermentation product-bound carrier is added, the performanceof the product may be reduced and/or the health benefits to theanimal(s) may be reduced.

Some embodiments include mixing (e.g., as described above or otherwisemixing) the fermentation product-bound carrier with a buffering agent toform a buffered combination product. The buffering agent can be mixedwith the fermentation product-bound carrier at any suitable ratio (e.g.up to, at least, and/or between approximately 1:20, approximately 1:15,approximately 1:10, approximately 1:9, approximately 1:8, approximately1:7, approximately 1:6, approximately 1:5, approximately 1:4,approximately 1:3, approximately 1:2, approximately 1:1, orapproximately 1:0.5, fermentation product-bound carrier to bufferingagent). In some embodiments, suitable ratio of fermentationproduct-bound carrier to buffering agent can ensure optimal performance,activity, stability, and/or longevity of the product. In someembodiments, suitable ratio of fermentation product-bound carrier tobuffering agent can ensure proper nutritional supplementation and/ornutrient delivery to the administered animals.

Some embodiments include mixing (e.g., as described above or otherwisemixing) the fermentation product, combination product, or bufferedcombination product with a feed component to form a supplemented feedcomposition. The fermentation product, combination product, or bufferedcombination product can be mixed with a feed component at a ratio of atleast, up to, between, and/or about 1:100, 1:150:1:200, 1:250, 1:300,1:350, 1:400, 1:450, 1:500, 1:600, 1:700, 1:750, 1:800, 1:900, 1:1000,1:1250, 1:1500, 1:1750, 1:2000, 1:2500, 1:3000, 1:3500, 1:4000, 1:4500,1:5000, etc., by weight or by volume (fermentation product, combinationproduct, or buffered combination product-to-feed component). It will beappreciated that the feed component can be or comprise solid, liquid, orother form of food or drink (e.g., water).

Thus, completed formulations of certain embodiments of the presentdisclosure can include a fermentation product-bound carrier or abuffered fermentation product-bound carrier (with or without an animalfeed component and/or one or more additional components), as describedherein. In at least one embodiment, the completed formulation(s) can besized (e.g., milled, crushed, grinded, and/or screened) to obtain asubstantially uniform particle size (e.g., on average, between about20-297 μm (or approximately 625-50 mesh), preferably about 74 μm (orapproximately 200 mesh)+/−20%, 15%, 10%, 8%, or 5%). The formulationscan optionally be manufactured in granule, powder, pellet, bolus,tablet, or other suitable form. In some embodiments, the completedformulation can be packaged (e.g., so as to reduce, inhibit and/orsubstantially prevent loss (e.g., yield reduction), contamination (e.g.,with live and/or viable microorganisms, fungus, parasite, etc.), and/orsubstantial absorption or loss of moisture by the packaged product.Thus, the method can also include packaging the composition, such as byvacuum or other sealing in an air-tight container.

An exemplary method of implementing an embodiment of the presentdisclosure is illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 1 depicts a diagrammatic flowchart illustrating a method of manufacturing and optionallyadministering an animal feed supplement according to various embodimentsof the present disclosure. It will be appreciated, however, thatportions of the illustrated method can comprise separate embodiments ofthe present disclosure (e.g., methods of manufacturing a composition,producing a nutrient enhanced animal feed product, enhancing the healthof an animal, etc.). As illustrated in FIG. 1, an embodiment of thepresent disclosure can include a step 10 of providing a liquidfermentation product as described herein. In an alternative embodiment,the fermentation product can be in a solid or non-liquid form. Someembodiments can include an optional step 12 a of adding one or moreadditional ingredients, such as vitamin(s), mineral(s) or tracemineral(s), amino acid(s), health supplement(s), pharmaceutical(s),nutraceutical(s), plant(s) or plant part(s), plant product(s) orextract(s), herb(s), phytonutrient(s), carotenoid(s), enzyme(s),probiotic(s), lignosulfonate(s), organic acid(s), etc., to the liquidfermentation product. It will be appreciated that such additionalingredients can also or alternatively be added to the medium before,during, and/or after one or more growth phases of the fermentationculture. Certain embodiments can be substantially and/or entirely devoidof probiotic and/or living microorganism of one or more variety.

Certain embodiments can include a step 14 of applying the fermentationproduct to a dry carrier as described herein to form a first product(e.g., a fermentation product-applied carrier). For example, theapplying step 14 can include one or more of spraying, pouring, dripping,etc. the fermentation product onto the carrier, binding or dry-bindingthe fermentation product to the carrier, reacting the fermentationproduct with the carrier, and/or drying the fermentation product on orin the carrier. The applying step 14 can also or alternatively includedrying the combination product, fermentation product-applied carrier, orfermentation product-bound carrier and/or any other process stepdescribed herein and/or known in the art. Some embodiments can includean optional step 12 b of adding one or more additional ingredients tothe fermentation product-applied carrier.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the liquid fermentation product can be appliedto a dry carrier to form a fermentation product-bound carrier. Asindicated above, however, in one or more alternative embodiments, thecarrier can be or comprise a liquid or non-dry carrier, such as water.Accordingly, the liquid fermentation product can be applied to theliquid carrier, such as by mixing, stirring, etc. The fermentationproduct can also be in solid or non-liquid form and applied to a dry orliquid carrier in certain embodiments. For instance, a non-liquidfermentation product can be dissolved, suspended, or otherwise appliedto a liquid carrier, or mixed, combined, or otherwise applied to a solidcarrier without necessarily departing from the scope of the presentdisclosure.

At least one embodiment can include a step 16 of mixing the fermentationproduct-bound carrier with at least one buffering agent, as describedherein, to form a second product (e.g., a buffered fermentationproduct-bound carrier). Some embodiments can include an optional step 12c of adding one or more additional ingredients, as described above, tothe buffered fermentation product-bound carrier. One or more embodimentscan also include a step 18 of mixing the buffered fermentationproduct-bound carrier with an animal feed product to form a thirdproduct (e.g., a (buffered) supplemented animal feed product. Someembodiments can include an optional step 12 d of adding one or moreadditional ingredients, as described above, to the (buffered)supplemented animal feed product. In addition, some of such embodimentscan include a step 20 of administering the (buffered) supplementedanimal feed product to one or more animals.

As further illustrated in FIG. 1, certain embodiments can include a step22 of mixing the fermentation product-bound carrier with an animal feedproduct (without a buffering agent) to form a fourth product (e.g., a(un-buffered) supplemented animal feed product). Some embodiments caninclude an optional step 12 e of adding one or more additionalingredients, as described above, to the (un-buffered) supplementedanimal feed product. In addition, some embodiments can include a step 24of administering the (un-buffered) supplemented animal feed product toone or more animals. Alternative embodiments can include a step 26 ofadministering the fermentation product-bound carrier to one or moreanimals or a step 28 of administering the buffered fermentationproduct-bound carrier to one or more animals.

It will be appreciated that some embodiments of the present disclosureprovide one or more advantages over existing products and methods. Forinstance, as indicated above, the fermentation product-bound carrier,buffering agent, and feed component can each be in substantially dryand/or solid form (e.g., having moisture content(s) as describedherein), in certain embodiments. Such substantially dry and/or solidcompositions can be ideal and/or uniquely suited for various types ofanimal feeds. For instance, certain animals may prefer substantially dryand/or solid feeds. In addition, certain feed compositions (e.g., feedsupplements, supplemented feeds, etc.) may be easier, faster, moreeconomical, and/or safer (for animals and/or users) to handle, store,move, mix, distribute, test, and/or eat in a substantially dry and/orsolid form. Thus, substantially dry and/or solid compositions canprovide a significant advantage over substantially wet and/or liquidcompositions, in some situations, application, or embodiments. Forinstance, mixing a liquid fermentation product with a powdered bufferingagent can be messy, expensive, and time-consuming, etc.

Moreover, in at least some embodiments, the liquid fermentation productand dry buffering agent can be incompatible (for direct mixing). Forinstance, the liquid fermentation product can have a low pH (e.g., lessthan or equal to about 5, 4, 3, or 2, in some embodiments), while thedry buffering agent (such as carbonate-based buffering agent) can have ahigher pH (e.g., greater than or equal to about 8, 9, 10, or 11, forinstance, about 8.4 (sodium bicarbonate), about 9.8 (sodiumsesquicarbonate), or about 11.4 (sodium carbonate)). Accordingly, theapplication of an acidic liquid fermentation product to a basic, dry,carbonate-based buffering agent to, or vice versa, at a suitable ratio,may cause a violent reaction. Similarly, such mixing can induce therapid formation of carbon dioxide and/or result in the loss of thecarbonate buffering agent.

Thus, by first reacting or binding the liquid fermentation culture withor to a dry carrier, and then combining the dry combination product withthe dry buffering agent, some embodiments can provide or produce a dry,buffered fermentation product in dry form without requiring that theliquid fermentation culture be dried out (via filtering, evaporation,dehydrating, vacuum, heat, air, etc.). The dry, buffered fermentationproduct can be made without substantial loss of the buffering agent ormolecular component thereof and without mixing, reacting, and/orcombining a complete, liquid microbial fermentation suspension culture,as described herein, with a dry buffering agent. In addition, the dry,buffered fermentation product can be made without substantial loss ofthe one or more component of the fermentation culture. For instance, theliquid medium of the culture, include soluble or other componentsthereof, need not be removed in order to combine the fermentationproduct with the buffering agent. Thus, embodiments of the presentdisclosure enable the use of a complete fermentation suspension culturein the production of animal feed supplements and supplemented animalfeeds.

Accordingly, certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide afermentation product comprising whole-cell or whole-culture lysate,instead of a culture extract or isolate. For instance, the fermentationproduct can comprise a liquid suspension comprising the substantiallyunpurified resultant of microbial anaerobic metabolism, including (i)substantially all of the (soluble and/or fermentation) metabolitesproduced by the fermentation culture, (ii) the liquid fermentationmedium in which the fermentation culture was grown (e.g., remainingafter a fermentation process), and (iii) whole-cell lysate, includingall of the microbial cellular and/or structural components of themicroorganisms grown in the fermentation culture, rather than a partialpurification or isolate of certain fermentation culture metabolites ormicroorganisms. Spraying and/or dry-binding the liquid fermentationproduct (e.g., as a crude, raw, whole and/or complete fermentationculture) to the substantially dry and/or solid carrier can provide(substantially all of the) components of a whole and/or substantiallycomplete microbial fermentation culture in a substantially dry and/orsolid form (e.g., without dehydrating and/or otherwise drying the wholesuspension culture).

It will be appreciated, however, that certain embodiments of the presentdisclosure can be administered to the animal(s) through the animal'swater supply (e.g., disposed in a trough, bowl, pond, puddle, dispenser,etc.) and/or through a substantially wet or at least partially liquidanimal food feed product. For instance, in at least one embodiment, thedry fermentation product-bound carrier can be at least partiallydissolved in the water supply (e.g., such that consumption (drinking) ofthe water constitutes administration of an effective amount of theanimal feed supplement to the animal). In other embodiments, thefermentation product, carrier, fermentation product-applied carrier canbe in liquid form and/or can be introduced into the animal's watersupply. Furthermore, the buffering agent and/or additional component(s)can also be administered through the animal's water supply, the at leastpartially liquid animal feed product, etc.

Furthermore, rather than a probiotic/direct-fed microorganism(DFM)-containing products comprising live cultures, a source of live(viable), microorganisms, etc., some embodiments of the presentdisclosure can include a microbial fermentation product that issubstantially devoid of live and/or viable microorganisms. Thus, certainembodiments of the present disclosure do not provide a significantsource of live and/or viable microorganisms. As such, rather thanintroducing probiotic microorganisms into the subject animal, certainembodiments of the present disclosure introduce components adapted tosupport, increase, and/or maintain a healthy and/or desirable populationof beneficial gut flora in the subject animal, and/or control, reduce,and/or maintain an acceptable and/or suitable population ofnon-pathogenic, pathogenic, and/or potentially pathogenic gut flora inthe subject animal.

It will be appreciated that embodiments of the present disclosure canenhance, support, aid, boost, bolster, augment, and/or assist the healthand/or well-being of an animal when an effective amount thereof isadministered to the animal. Thus, some embodiments can includeenhancing, supporting, aiding, boosting, bolstering, augmenting, and/orassisting the health of an animal by administering an effective amountof an animal feed supplement composition of the present disclosure tothe animal so as to improve one or more of the aforementioned healthindicators of the animal or animal population. As used herein,administering can comprise feeding the feed supplement composition tothe animal such that the animal ingests the effective amount of theanimal feed supplement composition. For instance, the feed supplementcomposition can be mixed with a feed component that the animal is knownto eat.

Alternatively, the animal feed supplement composition (e.g.,fermentation product-applied carrier or buffered fermentationproduct-applied carrier, with or without additional ingredient(s)) canbe administered directly to the animal (e.g., without mixing the productinto the animal's feed or water). For instance, in some embodiments, theanimal feed supplement composition can be processed into a pellet ortablet and/or fed directly to the animal. Pelleted embodiments mayrequire a suitable amount of heat, pressure, moisture, or otherparameter, but have been found to deliver similar beneficial resultswhen administered to animals (see below).

The one or more health indicators can include gut lesion count, gutbacteria count and/or plate count, animal weight and/or body mass, feedconsumption, feed conversion ratio, mortality, metabolism and/ormetabolic rate, digestion, nitrogen retention, milk production (inmammals), milk quality (as measured by milk fat and/or protein content,etc.), overall health and appearance, and so forth. In particularembodiments, the method can comprise enhancing weight gain, reducingfeed consumption and/or improving feed conversion ratios (especiallyunder biotic and abiotic stress conditions), reducing mortality (and/ormortality rates in a population), reducing incidence of gut lesions,reducing counts, plate counts, and/or other incidents of bacteria (e.g.,E. coli, Salmonella, etc.), improving nitrogen retention, increasingmilk production in mammals, improving milk quality (increased fat and/orprotein content, etc.) in mammals, improving metabolizable energylevels, improving digestion, improving overall health and appearance,and so forth. Such health indicators can be measured in an individualanimal and/or in a population (e.g., as an average).

Exemplary Experimental Results

Broiler chickens were obtained from a single source and randomlyassigned to the treatments outlined below. The birds were fed commercialfeed formulated to meet minimum nutrient requirements of a typicalcommercial broiler chicken diet using the NRC Nutrient Requirements forPoultry in a mash form for starters (0-21 days), growers (22-42 days),and finishers (43-49 days), with or without one of the feed supplementadditives. The additives included, in the alternative: (i) fermentationproduct-bound carrier composition (“combo”)—added to the feed at a finalratio of about 1:4000 (“combo (1)”—or about 250 grams of additive per1000 kg feed), about 1:2000 (“combo (2)”—or about 500 grams of additiveper 1000 kg feed), or about 1:1000 (“combo (3)”—or about 1000 grams ofadditive per 1000 kg feed) by weight (the fermentation product beingmixed/reacted with the carrier at a ratio of about 1:1 by weight); (ii)buffering agent (“buffer”)—added to the feed at a final ratio of about1:250—or about 4 kg buffering agent per 1000 kg feed, or (iii)fermentation product-bound carrier with buffering agent(“combo+buffer”)—with the buffering agent and fermentation product-boundcarrier added to the feed, respectively, at the final ratios describedabove (such that the fermentation product-bound carrier is combined withthe buffering agent at a ratio of about 1:16 (about 250 grams ofadditive per 4 kg buffering agent), about 1:8 (about 500 grams ofadditive per 4 kg buffering agent), or about 1:4 (about 1000 grams ofadditive per 4 kg buffering agent).

The additives were added to each ration of finished feed by premixing anappropriate, pre-determined amount of the additive in a small plasticbag with the addition of about 100 grams of corn oil (e.g., to enhanceuniform distribution of the additive) and about 454 grams of feed (e.g.,to dilute the additive into an initial portion of feed and enhanceuniform distribution of the additive in the feed). The initial dilution(or premix) was then mixed with the remainder of the full ration untilthorough distribution of the additive in the feed was achieved. Alldiets and fresh well water were offered ad libitum. Each floor pen studyincluded 10 replicates per treatment, 56 birds per replicate, mixed-sex(50% male and 50% female) broilers, for a total of 560 birds pertreatment. Other ratios, amounts, combinations, etc. were tested withoutbeing reported in the present disclosure. Accordingly, other ratios,amounts, combinations, etc. are also contemplated herein.

The results were obtained from feed studies conducted under mild bioticstress and normal grow-out conditions with moderate environmentaltemperature conditions or under abiotic high heat stress. Two differentmild biotic stress conditions were tested. A first condition includedEimeria acervulina and Escherichia coli contamination of the litterconditions to induce contamination of the chicken intestinal system (21day trial). A second condition included Clostridium perfringens(Necrotic Enteritis-causing bacteria) contamination of the litterconditions to induce contamination of the chicken intestinal system (21day trial). Temperature regime for the heat stress conditions was asfollows: 85-90° F. (about 29-32° C.) for days 0-7, 100° F. (about 37-38°C.) for days 8-14, and 105° F. (about 40-41° C.) for days 15-49.Measured health indicators included gut lesion score/formation,Escherichia coli gut count, incidence of Salmonella infection, weightgain, feed conversion ratio, and death/mortality.

The gut lesion scores included both coccidiosis signs and necroticenteritis signs and were performed on ten birds per replicate (or 100birds per treatment) using a scale from 0-4: 0=no lesion found, 1=slightredness but no cell sluffing (mucus), 2=moderate redness and/or slightcell sluffing, 3=severe redness and/or severe cell sluffing, 4=actualbleeding observed. Testing for Escherichia coli was performed on tenbirds per replicate (or 100 birds per treatment) using USDA/FSIS MLG3.02, section 3.7 procedure and are presented as (log 10) bacterialplate count. Salmonella incidence was tested following USDA/FSIS MLG4.03 procedure and are present as number of birds with measurablebacterial infection.

Weight gain was measured as the difference between bird weight at day 0and day 21 for the entire flock of each treatment (or 560 birds), and ispresented as the average increase (in pounds) for each treatment. Feedconversion ratios were calculated and presented as the treatment averageratio of ration weight (over the 21 day treatment) to the bird weight(at the end of each treatment) for the entire flock of each treatment(or 560 birds). Mortality was measured as the raw number of deaths (bythe end of day 21 and day 49 of the treatment) for the entire flock (or560 birds per treatment) under abiotic (severe heat) stress conditionsand is expressed as the number of deaths per 100 birds. The percentchange of each health indicator for each feed ration formulation ascompared to a control population of birds fed with finished feed alone(“control”) or finished feed with buffering agent at a ratio of about 4kg buffering agent per 1000 kg of finished feed (“control+buffer”) isalso presented.

Statistical significance of the results is indicated by a letter (orletter combination) indicator following each data number. Numbers withina row that that do not share at least one letter indicator have astatistically significant difference. In other words, the differencebetween any two numbers in the same row is statistically significant;(P<0.05) as determined by Least Significant Difference, if the twonumbers do not have at least one letter indicator in common.

TABLE 1 Gut lesion score under biotic stress conditions (Eimeriaacervulina and Escherichia coli contamination). Control Combo (1) Combo(2) Combo (3) 1.59 a 1.23 b 1.18 b 1.03 b — 22.64% decrease 25.79%decrease 35.22% decrease Combo(1) + Combo(2) + Combo(3) + Control bufferbuffer buffer 1.59 a 1.14 b 1.03 b 0.76 b — 28.30% decrease 35.22%decrease 52.20% decrease Control + Combo(1) + Combo(2) + Combo(3) +buffer buffer buffer buffer 1.18 a 1.14 a 1.03 a 0.76 a —  3.39%decrease 12.71% decrease 35.59% decrease

TABLE 2 Gut lesion score under biotic stress conditions (Clostridiumperfringens contamination). Control Combo (1) Combo (2) Combo (3) 1.75 a1.43 b  1.19 bc 0.97 c  — 18.29% decrease 32.00% decrease 44.57%decrease Combo(1) + Combo(2) + Combo(3) + Control buffer buffer buffer1.75 a 1.20 b 0.86 c 0.92 bc — 31.43% decrease 50.86% decrease 47.43%decrease Control + Combo(1) + Combo(2) + Combo(3) + buffer buffer bufferbuffer  1.08 ab 1.20 b 0.86 a 0.92 ab — 11.11% increase  20.37% decrease14.81% decrease

TABLE 3 Gut lesion score under abiotic (severe heat) stress conditions.Day of the trial Control Combo (1) Combo (2) Combo (3) Day 21 2.10 a1.92 a 1.03 b 1.11 b —  8.57% decrease 50.95% decrease 47.14% decreaseDay 49 2.03 a 1.67 b 1.33 c 1.10 c — 17.73% decrease 34.48% decrease45.81% decrease Day of the trial Control Combo(1) + buffer Combo(2) +buffer Combo(3) + buffer Day 21 2.10 a 1.53 b 0.97 c 0.87 c — 27.14%decrease 53.81% decrease 47.43% decrease Day 49 2.03 a 1.49 b 1.06 c0.68 d — 26.60% decrease 47.78% decrease 66.50% decrease Day of thetrial Control + buffer Combo(1) + buffer Combo(2) + buffer Combo(3) +buffer Day 21 1.51 a 1.53 a 0.97 b 0.87 b —  1.32% increase 35.76%decrease 42.38% decrease Day 49 1.40 a 1.49 b 1.06 c 0.68 d —  6.43%increase 24.29% decrease 51.43% decrease

TABLE 4 Gut bacteria count under biotic stress conditions (Eimeriaacervulina and Escherichia coli contamination) Bacteria Control Combo(1) Combo (2) Combo (3) E. coli 6.7413 a 6.5526 a 5.5551 b 5.0367 b(log10) — 2.80% decrease 17.60% decrease 25.29% decrease Salmonella 40.0 a   32.0 ab  25.0 b   30.0 ab incidence — 20.00% decrease  37.50%decrease 25.00% decrease Bacteria Control Combo(1) + buffer Combo(2) +buffer Combo(3) + buffer E. coli 6.7413 a 6.0324 b 5.7032 b 4.7189 c(log10) — 10.52% decrease  15.40% decrease 30.00% decrease Salmonella 40.0 a  38.0 a  23.0 b  18.0 b incidence — 5.00% decrease 42.50%decrease 55.00% decrease Bacteria Control + buffer Combo(1) + bufferCombo(2) + buffer Combo(3) + buffer E. coli 6.2003 a 6.0324 a 5.7032 a4.7189 b (log10) — 2.71% decrease  8.02% decrease 23.89% decreaseSalmonella  38.0 a  38.0 a  23.0 b  18.0 b incidence — 0.00% decrease39.47% decrease 52.63% decrease

TABLE 5 Gut bacteria count under biotic stress conditions (Clostridiumperfringens contamination). Bacteria Control Combo (1) Combo (2) Combo(3) E. coli 6.4502 a 6.3789 a 5.5998 b 5.1405 b (log10) —  1.11%decrease 13.18% decrease 20.30% decrease Salmonella  43.0 a  34.0 a 31.0 a  30.0 a incidence — 20.93% decrease 27.91% decrease 30.23%decrease Bacteria Control Combo(1) + buffer Combo(2) + buffer Combo(3) +buffer E. coli 6.4502 a 6.2689 a 5.2937 b 4.5652 c (log10) —  2.81%decrease 17.93% decrease 29.22% decrease Salmonella  43.0 a   32.0 ab  29.0 bc  17.0 c incidence — 25.58% decrease 32.56% decrease 60.47%decrease Bacteria Control + buffer Combo(l) + buffer Combo(2) + bufferCombo(3) + buffer E. coli 6.1123 a 6.2689 a 5.2937 b 4.5652 c (log10) — 2.56% increase 13.39% decrease 25.31% decrease Salmonella  31.0 a  32.0a   29.0 ab  17.0 b incidence —  3.23% increase  6.45% decrease 45.16%decrease

TABLE 6 Gut bacteria count under abiotic (severe heat) stressconditions. Bacteria Control Combo (1) Combo (2) Combo (3) Day 21 of thetrial E. coli 6.3346 a  6.1792 a 5.3677 b 4.9623 b (log10) —  2.45%decrease 15.26% decrease 21.66% decrease Salmonella 42.0 a   34.0 ab 26.0 b  25.0 b incidence — 19.05% decrease 38.10% decrease 40.48%decrease Day 49 of the trial E. coli 6.5378 a  6.0500 b 5.5158 c 5.1571c (log10) —  7.46% decrease 15.63% decrease 21.12% decrease Salmonella53.0 a  40.0 b  26.0 c  26.0 c incidence — 24.53% decrease 50.94%decrease 50.94% decrease Bacteria Control Combo(1) + buffer Combo(2) +buffer Combo(3) + buffer Day 21 of the trial E. coli 6.3346 a  5.7606 b5.2173 c 4.5824 d (log10) —  9.06% decrease 17.64% decrease 27.66%decrease Salmonella 42.0 a  35.0 a  21.0 b  13.0 b incidence — 16.67%decrease 50.00% decrease 69.05% decrease Day 49 of the trial E. coli6.5378 a  5.8796 b 5.1981 c 4.5609 d (log10) — 10.07% decrease 20.49%decrease 30.24% decrease Salmonella 53.0 a  40.0 b  23.0 c  16.0 cincidence — 24.53% decrease 56.60% decrease 69.81% decrease BacteriaControl + buffer Combo(1) + buffer Combo(2) + buffer Combo(3) + bufferDay 21 of the trial E. coli 5.6282 ab  5.7606 a 5.2173 b 4.5824 c(log10) —  2.35% increase  7.30% decrease 18.58% decrease Salmonella37.0 a  35.0 a  21.0 b  13.0 b incidence —  5.41% decrease 43.24%decrease 64.86% decrease Day 49 of the trial E. coli 5.7932 a  5.8796 a5.1981 b 4.5609 c (log10) —  1.49% increase 10.27% decrease 21.27%decrease Salmonella 38.0 a  40.0 a  23.0 b  16.0 b incidence — 5.26%increase  39.47% decrease 57.89% decrease

TABLE 7 Average body weight gain (lbs) under biotic stress conditions(Eimeria acervulina and Escherichia coli contamination). Control Combo(1) Combo (2) Combo (3) 1.5145 a  1.5192 ab 1.5250 ab 1.5324 c — 0.31%increase 0.69% increase 1.18% increase Combo(1) + Combo(2) + Combo(3) +Control buffer buffer buffer 1.5145 a 1.5264 b 1.5382 c  1.5463 c —0.79% increase 1.56% increase 2.10% increase Control + Combo(1) +Combo(2) + Combo(3) + buffer buffer buffer buffer  1.5284 ab 1.5264 a1.5382 bc 1.5463 c —  0.13% decrease 0.64% increase 1.17% increase

TABLE 8 Average body weight gain (lbs) under biotic stress conditions(Clostridium perfringens contamination). Control Combo (1) Combo (2)Combo (3) 1.5195 a  1.5257 ab 1.5308 bc 1.5406 c — 0.41% increase 0.74%increase 1.39% increase Combo(1) + Combo(2) + Combo(3) + Control bufferbuffer buffer 1.5195 a 1.5317 b 1.5439 c  1.5511 c — 0.80% increase1.61% increase 2.08% increase Control + Combo(1) + Combo(2) + Combo(3) +buffer buffer buffer buffer 1.5340 a 1.5317 b 1.5439 ac 1.5511 c — 0.15% decrease 0.65% increase 1.11% increase

TABLE 9 Average body weight gain (lbs) under abiotic (severe heat)stress conditions. Control Combo (1) Combo (2) Combo (3) Day 0-21 1.4570a 1.4866 b 1.5088 c 1.5252 d — 2.03% increase 3.56% increase 4.68%increase Day 0-49 5.7599 a 5.8715 b 5.9636 c 6.0302 d — 1.94% increase3.54% increase 4.69% increase Control Combo(1) + buffer Combo(2) +buffer Combo(3) + buffer Day 0-21 1.4570 a 1.4895 b 1.5267 c 1.5487 d —2.23% increase 4.78% increase 6.29% increase Day 0-49 5.7599 a 5.8944 b6.0107 c 6.1123 d — 2.34% increase 4.35% increase 6.12% increaseControl + buffer Combo(1) + buffer Combo(2) + buffer Combo(3) + bufferDay 0-21 1.4868 a 1.4895 a 1.5267 b 1.5487 c — 0.18% increase 2.68%increase 4.16% increase Day 0-49 5.8914 a 5.8944 a 6.0107 b 6.1123 c —0.05% increase 2.02% increase 3.75% increase

TABLE 10 Feed conversion ratio under biotic stress conditions (Eimeriaacervulina and Escherichia coli contamination) Control Combo (1) Combo(2) Combo (3) 1.3778 a 1.3695 a 1.3521 a 1.3404 a — 0.60% decrease 1.87%decrease 2.71% decrease Combo(1) + Combo(2) + Combo(3) + Control bufferbuffer buffer 1.3778 a  1.3532 ab  1.3409 ab 1.3210 b — 1.79% decrease2.68% decrease 4.12% decrease Control + Combo(1) + Combo(2) + Combo(3) +buffer buffer buffer buffer 1.3552 a 1.3532 a 1.3409 a 1.3210 a — 0.15%decrease 1.06% decrease 2.52% decrease

TABLE 11 Feed conversion ratio under biotic stress conditions(Clostridium perfringens contamination). Control Combo (1) Combo (2)Combo (3) 1.3806 a 1.3717 a 1.3616 a 1.3464 a — 0.64% decrease 1.38%decrease 2.48% decrease Combo(1) + Combo(2) + Combo(3) + Control bufferbuffer buffer 1.3806 a  1.3586 ab  1.3449 ab 1.3263 b — 1.59% decrease2.59% decrease 3.93% decrease Control + Combo(1) + Combo(2) + Combo(3) +buffer buffer buffer buffer 1.3570 a 1.3586 a 1.3449 a 1.3263 a — 0.12%increase 0.89% decrease 2.26% decrease

TABLE 12 Feed conversion ratio under abiotic (severe heat) stressconditions. Control Combo (1) Combo (2) Combo (3) Day 0-21 1.4019 a1.3846 ba 1.3643 bc 1.3524 c — 1.23% decrease 2.68% decrease 3.53%decrease Day 0-49 1.9162 a 1.8917 ab 1.8588 ab 1.8415 b — 1.28% decrease3.00% decrease 3.90% decrease Control Combo(1) + buffer Combo(2) +buffer Combo(3) + buffer Day 0-21 1.4019 a 1.3782 ab 1.3485 bc 1.3299 c— 1.69% decrease 3.81% decrease 5.14% decrease Day 0-49 1.9162 a 1.8822ab 1.8436 b  1.8168 b — 1.77% decrease 3.79% decrease 5.19% decreaseControl + buffer Combo(1) + buffer Combo(2) + buffer Combo(3) + bufferDay 0-21 1.3814 a 1.3782 ba 1.3485 bc 1.3299 c — 0.23% decrease 2.38%decrease 3.73% decrease Day 0-49 1.8799 a 1.8822 a  1.8436 a  1.8168 a —0.12% increase  1.93% decrease 3.36% decrease

TABLE 13 Mortality under abiotic (severe heat) stress conditions -expressed as dead bird count per 100 birds. Control Combo (1) Combo (2)Combo (3) Day 0-21 4.6429 d 4.2857 d 3.5714 ad 3.0357 a —  7.69%decrease 23.08% decrease 34.62% decrease Day 0-49 12.6087 d 10.4348 c8.4783 bc 6.9565 b — 17.24% decrease 32.76% decrease 44.83% decreaseControl Combo(1) + buffer Combo(2) + buffer Combo(3) + buffer Day 0-214.6429 d  3.9286 bd 3.3929 ab 2.5000 a — 15.38% decrease 26.92% decrease46.15% decrease Day 0-49 12.6087 d 9.7826 c 7.3913 b  5.2174 a — 22.41%decrease 41.38% decrease 58.62% decrease Control + buffer Combo(1) +buffer Combo(2) + buffer Combo(3) + buffer Day 0-21 3.9286 b 3.9286 b3.3929 ab 2.5000 a —  0.00% decrease 13.64% decrease 36.36% decrease Day0-49 9.5652 c 9.7826 c 7.3913 b  5.2174 a —  2.27% increase 22.73%decrease 45.45% decrease

Additional trials included the administration of various compositions ofthe present disclosure in pellet form. Studies were conducted underabiotic high heat stress. Temperature regime for the heat stressconditions was as follows: 35° C. for days 0-7, 37.8° C. for days 8-14and 40.6° C. for days 15-49. The broiler chicken were obtained from thesame source and randomly assigned to the treatments. The birds were feda commercial feed rations for starters (0-21 days), growers (22-42 days)and finishers (43-49 days) with or without additive. All diets and freshwell water were offered ad libitum.

In a first floor pen study with 8 replications per treatment, 24 birdsper replication, the fermentation product-bound carrier composition wasadded to antibiotic-free, corn-soy based feeds at levels of 0 (control),0.05% by weight, or 0.10% by weight, or pelleted at 76.7° C. or appliedpost-pelleting at 0.05% by weight. Effect of carrier+fermentationproduct (or fermentation product-bound carrier composition) (CF) appliedpre- or post-pelleting on Body Weight (BW), Feed/Gain ratio,Mortality-Adjusted Feed/Gain ratio (MAF/G), and percent mortality ofbroilers exposed to heat stress for 21 days, as compared to the controlset (no additive), are presented in Table 14.

TABLE 14 Treatment BW (g) Feed/Gain MAF/G Mortality (%) Control (basal)572  1.70 a* 1.46 a 30.7 a CF 0.05% pre-pelleting 567 1.48 b 1.36 b 18.8b CF 0.10% pre-pelleting 552 1.43 b 1.34 b 15.6 b CF 0.05%post-pelleting 573 1.36 b 1.30 b 13.1 b *Means followed by differentletters in the same column are significantly different (P < 0.001).

In a second set of experiments, with 10 replications per treatment, 70birds per replication, the CF composition was applied as dry additive tothe feed at 500 grams of fermentation product-bound carrier per 1000 kgof finished feed, the liquid fermentation product was applied to thedrinking water at 250 milliliters of fermentation product per 1000liters of drinking water, or as combination of the two applicationmethods. Numbers within a row followed by different letters aresignificantly different (P<0.05) as determined by Least SignificantDifference.

TABLE 15 Body weight (g) day 0-21. Carrier + fermentation (500 g/1000 kgUntreated Carrier + fermentation finished feed) Control fermentation(250 ml/1000 and fermentation Finished (500 g/1000 kg liters of (250ml/1000 liters feed alone finished feed) drinking water) of drinkingwater) 808 b 821 a 822 a 829 a — 1.61% increase 1.73% increase 2.60%increase

TABLE 16 Body weight (g) day 0-49. Carrier + fermentation (500 g/1000 kgUntreated Carrier + fermentation finished feed) Control fermentation(250 ml/1000 and fermentation Finished (500 g/1000 kg liters of (250ml/1000 liters feed alone finished feed) drinking water) of drinkingwater) 2976 d 3112 b 3131 ab 3159 a — 4.57% increase 5.21% increase6.15% increase

TABLE 17 Feed conversion ratios day 0-21. Carrier + fermentation (500g/1000 kg Untreated Carrier + fermentation finished feed) Controlfermentation (250 ml/1000 and fermentation Finished (500 g/1000 kgliters of (250 ml/1000 liters feed alone finished feed) drinking water)of drinking water) 1.3878 d 1.3579 bc 1.3456 b 1.3266 a — 2.15% decrease3.04% decrease 4.41% decrease

TABLE 18 Feed conversion ratios day 0-49. Carrier + fermentation (500g/1000 kg Untreated Carrier + fermentation finished feed) Controlfermentation (250 ml/1000 and fermentation Finished (500 g/1000 kgliters of (250 ml/1000 liters feed alone finished feed) drinking water)of drinking water) 1.9017 e 1.8541 bc 1.8432 ab 1.8258 a — 2.50%decrease 3.08% decrease 4.00% decrease

TABLE 19 Mortality (%) day 0-21. Carrier + fermentation (500 g/1000 kgUntreated Carrier + fermentation finished feed) Control fermentation(250 ml/1000 and fermentation Finished (500 g/1000 kg liters of (250ml/1000 liters feed alone finished feed) drinking water) of drinkingwater) 3.2857 b 2.2857 ab 2.1429 ab 1.7143 a — 30.4% decrease 34.8%decrease 47.8% decrease

TABLE 20 Mortality (%) day 0-49. Carrier + fermentation (500 g/1000 kgUntreated Carrier + fermentation finished feed) Control fermentation(250 ml/1000 and fermentation Finished (500 g/1000 kg liters of (250ml/1000 liters feed alone finished feed) drinking water) of drinkingwater) 10.00 c 6.60 ab 6.20 ab 4.80 a — 34.0% decrease 38.0% decrease52.0% decrease

Thus, embodiments of the present disclosure (e.g., compositions orcomponents thereof) can be added to the animal's food and/or watersupply. Each additive was dissolved in a suitable amount of water andmixed with the water supplied to each group. Beneficial results weresimilarly observed in the supplemented water group. Another group wasadministered the various additives in both the water supply and feed, asdescribed above. Further beneficial results were observed in thesupplemented water and feed group.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are also useful for supplyingnutrition and/or enhancing the health of other animals, as describedherein. For example, other varieties of chicken and/or birds receivedsimilar and/or additional health benefits from consuming compositions ofthe present disclosure. In addition, mammals and other animals of thevarieties described herein received similar and/or additional healthbenefits from consuming compositions of the present disclosure.Economically-important animals, in particular, whether for consumption,production of animal by-product, performance, companionship, etc.,received similar and/or additional health benefits from consumingcompositions of the present disclosure.

While human animals were not treated with compositions of the presentdisclosure, it is anticipated that humans would receive similar and/oradditional health benefits from consuming compositions of the presentdisclosure.

It is further noted that some embodiments of the present disclosure aresubstantially devoid of live and/or viable microorganisms (e.g., fromthe fermentation product or culture). Accordingly, embodiments of thepresent disclosure can be safe for consumption by all human andnon-human animals.

In another experiment, the effect of the composition (i.e., themicrobial fermentation product-bound carrier) on the incidence of fungal(e.g., mold) growth in antibiotic-free, corn-soy based poultry feedprepared in conformance with commercial standards was investigated. Thebasal starter and grower mash broiler diets were manufactured usingcommercial blending equipment and stored by independent researchfacility in a bulk form. The basal feeds were divided in half withone-half being stored and used as a control and the other half treatedwith the composition at a rate of 1 kg of the composition per 1000 kg offeed.

Six feeds were evaluated: 1) basal starter, 2) basal grower, 3) controlstarter, 4) control grower, 5) treated starter and 6) treated grower.Twelve replications, each containing one gram (±5%) of feed placed into75 mm sterile petri dish, were prepared for each of the six testedfeeds. Care was taken to avoid cross-contamination between differentfeeds. All prepared feed samples were incubated for 22 weeks at 30° C.and 65%±5% relative humidity (RH). Visual observations of mold growthwere conducted every two weeks.

Fungal growth was observed as early as 8 weeks of incubation (in controlstarter feed). The incidence of fungal growth increased with time ofincubation in four out of six tested feeds: basal starter, basal grower,control starter and control grower. Feeds treated with microbialfermentation product-bound carrier, whether starter feed or grower feed,surprisingly and unexpectedly did not show any incidences of fungalgrowth throughout the duration of the experiment. Experimental data ispresented in Table 21.

TABLE 21 Fungal growth incidence. Fungal growth incidence in differentfeeds (%) Incubation Cytozyme Cytozyme time Basal Basal Control Controltreated treated (weeks) starter grower starter grower starter grower 2 00 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 0 0 8 0 0 0 10 0 0 17 0 0 0 1217 0 17 0 0 0 14 33 8 17 0 0 0 16 33 8 17 33 0 0 18 42 8 17 33 0 0 20 4225 33 33 0 0 22 42 25 33 33 0 0

Thus, embodiments of this disclosure (e.g., microbial fermentationproduct-bound carrier) can possesses and/or exhibits antifungal and/orfungal growth-inhibiting activity when mixed with animal feed, on whichfungus normally grows. As used herein, “antifungal,” “antifungalactivity,” “antifungal effect,” and similar terms refers to (1)protection against contamination (e.g., inoculation, infection, etc.)with or by one or more fungi (e.g., fungal resistance activity), and/or(2) inhibition (e.g., reduction, attenuation, prevention, etc.) offungal growth (e.g., fungistatic activity), and/or (3) killing of fungi(e.g., fungicidal activity). The protection against and/or inhibition offungal contamination and/or growth and/or killing of fungi byembodiments of this disclosure is an additional benefit of embodimentsof the present disclosure. This feature (alone) provides a significantadvantage in the art, as animal feed spoiling results in large economicloss to feed manufactures of all types. For instance, the protectionagainst and/or inhibition of fungal contamination and/or growth byembodiments of this disclosure can (help or contribute to) increaseanimal weight gain and/or feed conversion ratios, decrease mortality,etc. Coupled with other beneficial consumption-related outcomes (asdescribed herein), embodiments of the present disclosure provide aunique and previously unknown beneficial product and treatment methodfor enhancing the health and wellness of animals, while reducing orinhibiting loss of animal feed to fungal growth.

In addition to the foregoing, embodiments of this disclosure can exhibitother antimicrobial activity, such as antibacterial (e.g., protectionagainst and/or inhibition of bacterial contamination and/or growth),antiviral (e.g., protection against and/or inhibition of viralcontamination and/or growth), and so forth.

CONCLUSION

While the foregoing detailed description makes reference to specificexemplary embodiments, the present disclosure may be embodied in otherspecific forms without departing from its spirit or essentialcharacteristics. Accordingly, the described embodiments are to beconsidered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. Forinstance, various substitutions, alterations, and/or modifications ofthe inventive features described and/or illustrated herein, andadditional applications of the principles described and/or illustratedherein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and havingpossession of this disclosure, can be made to the described and/orillustrated embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention as defined by the appended claims. Such substitutions,alterations, and/or modifications are to be considered within the scopeof this disclosure.

The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appendedclaims rather than by the foregoing description. The limitations recitedin the claims are to be interpreted broadly based on the languageemployed in the claims and not limited to specific examples described inthe foregoing detailed description, which examples are to be construedas non-exclusive and non-exhaustive. All changes which come within themeaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced withintheir scope.

It will also be appreciated that various features of certain embodimentscan be compatible with, combined with, included in, and/or incorporatedinto other embodiments of the present disclosure. For instance, systems,methods, and/or products according to certain embodiments of the presentdisclosure may include, incorporate, or otherwise comprise featuresdescribed in other embodiments disclosed and/or described herein. Thus,disclosure of certain features relative to a specific embodiment of thepresent disclosure should not be construed as limiting application orinclusion of said features to the specific embodiment. In particular,ingredients and components disclosed in the present application areintended to be independently added or removed from embodiments of thepresent disclosure, without regard to any example, listing, series, orcombination in which they are disclosed. Similarly, method stepsdisclosed in the present application are intended to be independentlyadded or removed from embodiments of the present disclosure, withoutregard to any example, listing, series, or combination in which they aredisclosed.

Likewise, any steps recited in any method or process described hereinand/or recited in the claims can be executed in any suitable order andare not necessarily limited to the order described and/or recited,unless otherwise stated (explicitly or implicitly). Such steps can,however, also be required to be performed in a specific order or anysuitable order in certain embodiments of the present disclosure.

In addition, unless a feature is described as being requiring in aparticular embodiment, features described in the various embodiments canbe optional and may not be included in other embodiments of the presentdisclosure. Moreover, unless a feature is described as requiring anotherfeature in combination therewith, any feature herein may be combinedwith any other feature of a same or different embodiment disclosedherein. It will be appreciated that while features may be optional incertain embodiments, when features are included in such embodiments,they can be required to have a specific configuration as described inthe present disclosure.

It is noted that at least some of the statements made throughout thisdisclosure have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and DrugAdministration (FDA). Accordingly, certain embodiments of thisdisclosure are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent anydisease.

Furthermore, various well-known aspects of illustrative systems,methods, products, and the like are not described herein in particulardetail in order to avoid obscuring aspects of the example embodiments.Such aspects are, however, also contemplated herein.

I claim:
 1. An animal nutrient composition, comprising: a combinationproduct having a moisture content between about 0.25% and about 5% byweight, the combination product comprising: a solid carrier comprisingone or more phyllosilicates; and a microbial fermentation productadsorbed to a surface of the solid carrier and/or absorbed below thesurface of the solid carrier, the microbial fermentation productcomprising: lysed cells or cellular components thereof; a liquidfermentation medium; and cellular metabolites produced anaerobically. 2.The composition of claim 1, wherein the one or more phyllosilicates areselected from the group consisting of 1:1 clay mineral phyllosilicates,2:1 clay mineral phyllosilicates, aliettite, attapulgite, bentonite,chlorite, dickite, halloysite, hectorite, illite, kaolinite,montmorillonite, nacrite, nontronite, palygorskite, saponite, sauconite,sepiolite, serpentine, talc, vermiculite, and combinations thereof. 3.The composition of claim 1, wherein the solid carrier has a particlesize or an average particle size between about 20-297 μm.
 4. Thecomposition of claim 1, wherein the lysed cells are lysed single-celledmicroorganisms.
 5. The composition of claim 1, wherein less than about10%, by weight, of biomass in the microbial fermentation product isliving or viable microorganisms.
 6. The composition of claim 1, furthercomprising a buffering agent mixed with the combination product, thebuffering agent comprising one or more electrolytic substances selectedfrom the group consisting of sodium sesquicarbonate, sodium carbonate,and sodium bicarbonate.
 7. The composition of claim 1 further comprisinggranular or powdered sodium sesquicarbonate mixed with the combinationproduct.
 8. The composition of claim 1 further comprising an animal feedcomponent mixed or admixed with the combination product, the animal feedcomponent comprising solid chicken feed.
 9. The composition of claim 1,wherein the combination product has a moisture content between about0.25% and about 2% by weight.
 10. A method of manufacturing thecomposition of claim 1, comprising: applying the microbial fermentationproduct in liquid form directly to the solid carrier such that thefermentation product binds to the carrier by adsorption of thefermentation product to a surface of the solid carrier and/or byabsorption of the fermentation product below the surface of the solidcarrier; and allowing the solid carrier with fermentation productapplied thereto to at least partially dry, thereby producing thecombination product having a moisture content between about 0.25% andabout 5% by weight.
 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising oneor more steps selected from the group consisting of: cultivating amicrobial fermentation culture for a first period of time, the microbialfermentation culture comprising the liquid fermentation medium,microorganisms, and metabolites produced anaerobically by themicroorganisms, the microorganisms undergoing anaerobic metabolism orcellular respiration during the first period of time; and lysing atleast some of the microorganisms in the microbial fermentation cultureto produce the lysed cells or cellular components thereof.
 12. Themethod of claim 11, wherein, following the step of lysing at least someof the microorganisms, less than about 10% of the microorganisms of themicrobial fermentation culture are living or viable.
 13. The method ofclaim 11, further comprising one or more steps selected from the groupconsisting of: mixing the solid carrier while applying the microbialfermentation product thereto; and applying a flow of air to the solidcarrier: (i) while applying the microbial fermentation product theretoand/or after applying the fermentation product thereto, and/or (ii) overa period of time between about 12-120 hours and/or until the combinationproduct has a moisture content between about 0.25% and about 5%, byweight.
 14. A method of enhancing the health of a chicken, comprisingadministering an effective amount of the composition of claim 1 to thechicken so as to improve one or more health indicators of the chicken,the one or more health indicators selected from the group consisting of:gut lesion formation; gut bacteria count; weight gain; feed conversionratio; and life span.
 15. A method of inhibiting fungal growth on ananimal feed product, comprising: mixing or admixing the animal feedproduct with the composition of claim 1, the animal feed productcomprising solid chicken feed, wherein the composition inhibits fungalgrowth on the chicken feed.
 16. The composition of claim 1, wherein thecombination product comprises the microbial fermentation product boundto the solid carrier at a ratio of approximately 1:1 by weight toapproximately 1:20 by weight, microbial fermentation product to solidcarrier, or at a ratio of approximately 1:1 by weight to approximately1:20 by weight, solid carrier to microbial fermentation product.
 17. Thecomposition of claim 1, wherein the combination product comprises themicrobial fermentation product bound to the solid carrier at a ratio ofapproximately 1:1 by weight, microbial fermentation product to solidcarrier.
 18. The composition of claim 6, further comprising an animalfeed component mixed or admixed with the combination product andbuffering agent, the animal feed component comprising chicken feed. 19.The composition of claim 6, wherein the composition has a moisturecontent between about 0.25% and about 2% by weight.
 20. The compositionof claim 7, further comprising an animal feed component mixed or admixedwith the combination product and sodium sesquicarbonate, the animal feedcomponent comprising chicken feed.
 21. The composition of claim 7,wherein the sodium sesquicarbonate is mixed with the combination productat a ratio between about 1:1 and about 1:20, fermentation product-boundcarrier to buffering agent, or at a ratio between about 1:1 and about1:20, buffering agent to fermentation product-bound carrier.
 22. Thecomposition of claim 7, wherein the sodium sesquicarbonate is mixed withthe combination product at a ratio between about 1:4 and about 1:8,fermentation product-bound carrier to buffering agent.
 23. The method ofclaim 10, further comprising mixing a buffering agent with thecombination product, the buffering agent comprising one or moreelectrolytic substances selected from the group consisting of sodiumsesquicarbonate, sodium carbonate, and sodium bicarbonate, the bufferingagent having a moisture content between about 0.25% and about 20% byweight.
 24. The method of claim 23, further comprising mixing an animalfeed product with the mixture of the combination product and thebuffering agent, the animal feed product comprising chicken feed. 25.The method of claim 24, wherein the animal feed product has a moisturecontent between about 0.25% and about 20% by weight.
 26. The method ofclaim 10, further comprising mixing granular or powdered sodiumsesquicarbonate with the combination product, the granular or powderedsodium sesquicarbonate having a moisture content between about 0.25% andabout 20% by weight.
 27. The method of claim 26, further comprisingmixing an animal feed product with the mixture of the combinationproduct and sodium sesquicarbonate, the animal feed product comprisingchicken feed.
 28. The method of claim 27, wherein the animal feedproduct has a moisture content between about 0.25% and about 20% byweight.
 29. The method of claim 13, further comprising one or more stepsselected from the group consisting of: maintaining the carrier with thefermentation product applied thereto at a temperature below about 60° C.for a first period of time; and maintaining the carrier with thefermentation product applied thereto at a pH between about 2-10.
 30. Ananimal nutrient composition, comprising: a combination product having amoisture content between about 0.25% and about 5% by weight, thecombination product comprising: a solid carrier comprising one or morephyllosilicates; and a microbial fermentation product adsorbed to asurface of the solid carrier and/or absorbed below the surface of thesolid carrier, the microbial fermentation product comprising: a liquidfermentation medium; anaerobically produced metabolites; and lysedLactobacillus bacteria or cellular components thereof; and a granular orpowdered buffering agent mixed with the combination product, thebuffering agent comprising one or more compounds selected from the groupconsisting of sodium sesquicarbonate, sodium carbonate, and sodiumbicarbonate, the buffering agent having a moisture content between about0.25% and about 20% by weight.
 31. The composition of claim 4, whereinthe microorganisms include Lactobacillus acidophilus and optionally oneor more additional microbial species or strains.
 32. The method of claim10, further comprising mixing an animal feed product with thecombination product, the animal feed product comprising chicken feed.33. The composition of claim 1, further comprising aerobically producedmetabolites or cellular metabolites produced aerobically.
 34. Acomposition, comprising a combination product having a moisture contentbetween about 0.25% and about 5% by weight, the combination productcomprising: a solid carrier comprising one or more phyllosilicates; anda microbial fermentation product adsorbed to a surface of the solidcarrier and/or absorbed below the surface of the solid carrier, themicrobial fermentation product comprising: a liquid fermentation medium;anaerobically produced metabolites; and lysed cells or cellularcomponents thereof.